Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-22
Tact.


The want of tact has often been the cause
of much misunderstanding and discomfort,
and those people who always say and do
the wrong thing at the wrong moment
should strive to reverse the order of affairs.
There Is no knowing what tactful girl
can accomplish. She is usually successful
in the home. In society and business, be-
sides being a welcome comforter in times
of trouble. and one who can enter heartily
into another's happiness.
To be tactful one must be utterly free
from scIf-consciousness and try to think
only OF the requirements of others.
A ready listener is always welcome in all
grades Of society. and the tactful girl Will
patiently listen to the woes and Ills of
other people without letting them see how
uninteresting they are to her, or. in return,
repeating her own troubles.
For some reason OF other. women are
known to be proverbially tallhtive. Why
they should be especially credited with this
fault 1t is difficult to discover, Tor am
sure that many will agree that the oppo-
site sex are keen rivals in this respect
Re that as II may there are times when
silence is golden, and tactful person viii
know when IT is best to maintain ols-
Greet silence -,
What good can II do any one to divulge a
family secret or failing7 A tactful girl Will
find no interest in this kind or conversation,
and will introduce more pleasing topic
She can always keep a quiet tongue in her
head when necessary, and Will hesitate 10
spread unkind gossip
When in the company OF the opposite sex
a girl will show her tactfulneSs by the IN
terest which she takes in the likes and dis-
likes of her companion. always endeaVorlng
to lead the conversation into the direction
which she knows will be most enjoyable to
him. and not by constant wondering II she
Is making a good impression.
She will soon find the best way to enter
tain her friend by discussing his fayortte
sports books. etc. instead OF those in which
she IL mot interested.
IL Is during business hours that girl
particularly needs to exercise her tact, and
especially II she happens to be the head OF
those who are co-workers with her.
She is almost sure to be subjected TO the
jealousy and dislike that so often are felt
for those occupying her position.
This. however. greatly depends on the
way she treats those who are under her
charge. and she will find that matters VIII
be much pleasanter for all concerned II. In
stead OF acting in a domineering way. she
superlutends matters In a moro kindly but
a the same time firm manner.
This does not mean that advantages VIII
be taken but. on the contrary, the girls
under her authority will be more likely to
be careful over their work. and not feel
like so many machines. but Will take a real
interest IN IL.
peating mean and unkind gossip Ii not
likely to become favorite with any one;
but a welcome will always be found for
those who know how to take an interest in
others concerns. and to keep their own
troubles 20 themselves thereby exercising
their tact.
There Always Is
one way whereby every one can be an
agent of good in the wide world and that
n 40
Fer Just so far az we rise ourselves we not
only raise the average Of virtue, but we
make it possible for others to rise with us
by association. by example. by clinging to
us by the mere fact OF being what we are.
Then at anv rate. there is one person doing
the utmost. helping forward the types. and
showing what Is within the reach OF rich
and poor alike.
The person who has idle hours and who
allows them to be idle and empty. who lives
without aims in advance OF achievement OF
endeavors to help forward the work of the
world. who uses neither his mental nor
moral powers 10 any extent. must, In the
nature OF things. suffer deterioration
AS the unused physical muscle becomes
ulCcid and nowerless go the unused mental
and moral fiber becomes incapable, the I'M
used brain becomes something less good
than 70 was when II first expressed con-
sGousuess.
The whole being is less worthy than it
was when II began, and. moreover. those
horn - this being whose owner has so stul-
tilted nature must inherit the unused brain.
the unused nature. all that has resulted
from the neglect OF good opportunity and a
course Of life that has degraded by all the
uNiviatiUn OF luxury or demoralizing pleas
ure. and must be less lofty and noble by
all the descent the parent has made till he
found the same level as that of those VINO
never had OPPORTUNITIES of culture, Of en-
riching experience. OF fine pleasures. Of
benevolent possibility who have gone to
sleep az night too weary with toll to think,
and goue To- work by daybreak too labo-