Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-17
1.-THE PAT ON THE BACK"
Value of Mrs. Wigs Cheerful and Wise Prescrip-
tons-Human Nature and Its Vagaries. .t

Could any means be devised more
charming. more happily irvigorating
to patience and effort, than TO be gain
ing power day by day. because love de-
clares its security in the result?
And i'll cases where frailty, or actual
wrongdoing are undermining charact r
and danger Is imminent that IL viii ba
wrecked at last, we should do wen II
we cease upbraiiing ard lectIring and
advising, and leaving the great dis
culinary work to the only power that
can save; try Mrs. Wiggs's brave plan
and find some way of rousing self-eg-
tenn and self-respect No tempted life
is beyond redemption while it believes
in itself and thinks some one lives to
hope for and in it's final success.
| Particularly may we be encouraged
to try the comforting pat on the back"
when mistakes or wrongdojng have
caused self-reproach or shame Many a
fathers last chance Of keeping his
boys head above the threatening
waters in which he was struggling has
been lost by showing his own dispair
and betraying his disgust. To recall
anything in which the youth has ex-
ceiled-to remind him of what ne had
done well-to put before him oppo--
tunity to beguile him to effort made
easy by natural ability, to be seen with
| him in public places, are a thousand
fold more hopeful expressions of his
hearts desire than the most intenos
expressions of grief or the most vehe-
ment appeals against his enemies.
Even IN our advanced years. when
| the lions in the way look more formid
able than ever before. and W.. hay.
trembling doubts of our powers of en-
| durance and conflicts, when some
strong, fond voice says confidently:
You afraid? Why, remember all the
courage of past years and all the trials
safely passed that you had once imag-
ined would oye-whelm you. and h wv
strong and brave you are by nature
and don't disappoint US all now" Ex-
perience has taught in vain. if we have
not learned that ''as our day so shall
our strength be-"
And what more inspiring picture
ever comes before Que vision than Il
strong hearted strong willed man or
woman, aseing as the years accumu-
late on the record, but firmly living UP
TO the standard borne CALAMITY through
the years of middle life and kept full
of generous enthusiasm by the friendly
faith and expectation of the loving
hearts. who have no mind to see them
fail to carry their colors flying to the
last
Many a heart has ended a noble career
in humiliating feebleness and self-dis-
trust, for lack of a good Mrs. Wigs at
their elbow to remind them of their bet
Ter achievements, and urge them not to
fall behind in race that has ever found
vnem at t ne t9rsfront It is not alone
want encouragement, but when we forget
the old victories and the splendid sunshine
which has shone upon US in the past as
had dreaded.
Let us try what this tonic of approval
VIII do for those whom we are guiding
into manhood and woma nhood: let US see
how much more efficaC ious il is in build
ing up characters not endowed by nature
with cheerful perseverance easily dis
couraged. than our fault-findng and IN
ceasing remonstrance.
Let weary housekeepers apply il to I'M
satisfactory domestic servants and teach
ers see what it will do for dull and lazy
children. 1t is n surprising force If it is
rightly used without any sophistry or
holding back CT truthful warning when
the mind or heart fail to respond
Nor let us stop short of ourselves. When
cordial affection ignores our shortcomings
our stronger part. let us brace our hearts
to a return to nobler aspiration and such
ashamed There is a new sort of courage
needed as we pass beyond the crest of the
hill and turn downwardS into the valley.
Though of different sort. it is as definite
a demand upon our nobler qualities as
when the call was to climb the steep as
cent and give a Steadying hand to those
who looked to us for help.
As well say TO one caught in the soft
iYrcv dnrnfy Of -l,;fx
rear you will be benumbed. you have been
very foolish to come by that way" and
leave him TO struggle as he may. as to
permit our fcllow-beings to fight with the
chliling ana over-mastering hindrances of
their various lives. without an appeal to
their energies and a reminder Of what
they had already accomplished.
The half.distracted wife of man de-
its hiding place beautiful miniature of
him in his blameless youth and put it
where he could contrast it with his dis
~, figured rejection in the mirror. Neither
he nor she said anything. but the face i.
haunted MN and kept wish stirring in
his heart that me might once more look
rs he did then The clear eyes appealed
to him as II they We're conscious of his
thoughts. He recalled his own lost self
and suddenly took himself in hand as il
he were prisoner of the law and fought
The sight of his lost self had done what
many tears and much upbraiding would
have been powerlesS to accomplish
We ere slow to realize what we can do
for one another by the vigor of our hope
full touch-I venture to assert that the
pat of our friend of the Cabbage Patch
was felt and heard-a1d the force of cur
conviction that where there is will
there's a way for such discouraged men
and woman as are tangled in misfortune
or errors of life If you can influence no
one else set to work vigorously to encour-
age yourself and believe in ultimate vic
tory.-New York Post.