Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-04

they not vain, nor foolish, nor impos-
sible, nor unattainable. Let us keep our
ideals and defend them from the laughter
of the fool and the dullard. Let US guard
them in our own hearts and develop them
IN the hearts of our children. The lives
they have shaped are the lives of which the
world is proud. They were idealists who
have made their names immortal.
The Lives
Of most women of moderate means and
goodszed families are filled with round
of petty duties. No hard work great
trial is so Notwithstanding and so dulling
as the constant repetition day after day.
often many times day, of these wearsome
trifes. 1t takes a strong mind not to sink
under the routine. 1t takes not only mind
self-cultured, but with some other and
fresher interest besides and beyond the tire
some routine not to get stagnated by the
process.
Compelled to sacrifice much time to their
domestic duties and babies, they are con-
demned to the society of servants and chill
dren for the greater part of this period of
their lives. And although they love their
children and are anxious to do their whole
duty to their servants, they yet often need
and suffer for the stimulus of other minds
or the inspiration of some change.
The desire is right. The danger is when
the desire ceases because ii has so long
been denied. The woman is fossiliZed who
becomes content to fill her days with a
round of domestcty and neither seeks nor
wishes any distraction.
Some trifing occupation or amusement
which has no connection with their domestic
work is the best hope for such women. 1t
may be a daily walk with some interest In
rocks plants to give it Zest. 1t may be
some artistic occupation pursued persist
emily at home. Anyway. the interest must
be maintained and the business must be
persevered in despite encouragement or
hindrance.
The good results are sure, and the woman
who can thus preserve part of her life IN
quiet serenity finds herself lavishly reward
ed for the effort. 1t is window left open,
a door set ajar into a broader and higher
life.
The Presence
OF one who is a victim to moods seems a
calamity in a home. The children feel like
culprits; their perfectly innocent mirth Is
repressed they speak under breath. Con-
versation languishes and laughter is extin-
guished.
Around the moody person. whether
mother, father or sister. there seems to
hang a thin but evident veil of gloom, which
no sallies of wit or soft persuasions of af-
lection can penetrate. One by one the fam
lily seek to escape from the influence so dis
tressing,
Moodiness carried to its Last extreme Is
insanity of which it Is often premonitory
symptom. AS rule 1t has its root in some
physical arrangement the spleen, or the
liver, or the stomach is responsible for It,
When the digestive organs are working
tremendously with the rest of the body and
the physical functions are In order, people
are seldom moody. Good temper and good
spirits depend largely on good health.
Sometimes the moody person is burdened
financially The remedy here is to get rid
of the needless load. Live as common
sense and honesty dictate within the wise
limits of the daily earnings. If the balance
is on the right side the result, according to
Mr. Micawber, is bliss.
Moodiness has often neither the apology
of a good reason to offer nor the excuse of
a bad reason to offer. 1t is merely a SYM
onym Of selfshness deserving the condem-
nation of conscience. To be driven by ones
moods Is fair neither to ones self nor to
others.