Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-06-15
ANENT TALKING WOMEN"
Silence Has Soothing Effect, Says Du-
luth, Mimi, Herald.

The soothing effect of silence is one
that many women might learn to the
benefit of those about them. To talk,
express opinions and volunteer remarks
is the privilege of almost any person, and
one to which they are prone whether
they should or not. But all the words
of sympathy ard consolation i'll times of
illness or trouble may fail many times
before the silent sympathy that expresses
itself in kindly actions and does not jar
the nerves by sound.
Perhaps il more voices were soft and
low silence might not be so desirable,
but sweet ones are rare i'll any cline,
and especially so in this electric Ameri-
can atmosphere AS a rule they are
strident or hard, high pitched at any
time. going up a few keys more when
nervous or excited. For a person who
is tired or nervOusly or physically i'll
such a sound that also demands attention
from its victim is distressing in the ex-
IRENE, and where the other would fail
to soothe and comfort, she may only irri
tate. Sometimes the kindest thing one
can do for Il person who needs com
partnership or sympathy is TO give it
without words. There are many other
ways Of expressing it, all more effectuaI
than speech. that as q matter OF fact
3-iay amount to nothing but sound.
1t is difficult to realize that person
may not care to hear what one has to
say, but the fact remains that Il person
nervously exhausted would rather have
quiet than all the spoken sympathy in
Gus person never wishes to be spoken to.
Being human they require it, but it
should not be long drawn out nor of a
kind to excite her. \ few words quietly
spoken is gratifying, helpful in the ex-
IRENE; it is only those persons who loud
iy repeat themselves land that they are
bound to do if they talk on the same
ing.
The best possible sympathy for
woman who is nervous is that expressed
in little acts. There are so many little
things one may do for an invalid; merely
getting ready comfortable chair for
her to sit in or having at hand an anus
ing story to read means thought on the
part of the person who does it, and such
thought means always love and affec-
ton The thing itself may be trivial
but the affection that inspires it is not
and of that the i'll person is perfectly
aware. There never was a person who
did not wish all the affection she eau
have from those for whom she cares. but
she does not want it always flung at her
thunderously.
transformation is a most desirable ele-
ment i'll sympathy expressed without
words. A person is not likely to wish
to be made conspicuous. and to -four
ish what one is doing is tactleSS and
worse than nothing. Any little atten-
tons should be given quietly it does not
matter if the invalid herself is not aware
of them at the time. She will be later,
if they are genuine: and when genuine
they are not for recognition but to help
ease pair or suffering.
1t is very easy to go make call and
say one is sorry for something that has
happened to another: but to give real
help day after day to one i'll atffiction
requires tact, sympathy. understanding.
and words are less valuable than any
other medium.-Duluth Herald.