Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-06

goes a young girl who takes delight in do
ing favors for people. -"
Louise sighed and was silent
1.-THE error you make Louise" said,
after pause, lis common one with young
people. They lack sense of proportion.
You are naturally candid and open. and
you have formed an excellent habit of al
ways telling the truth. | like your sin
certify. l even Hike your bluntness. and yet
l must tell you very plainly that sincerity
without tact is often cruel and brutal, and
sometimes objectionable Tact means touch.
THE tactful girl is very quick to under
stand a situation. She knows how people
feel without having their sentiments ex-
planned She never goes out of her way to
show a schoolmate, you did Mena, that
you have noticed how frequently she IS
deficient. In circumstances does she
venture to inform acquaintance that her
hat or her dress is unbecoming, when the
dress and hat have been bought and paid
for And she understands how TO UNDER
take a commission without actually say
ing that 1t win put her to some inconven-
ience. This morning you had only TO say
to Mena, when she told you about the
geometry: Dear Mena, how glad l am
and you might have stopped your comment
on Marjorie's frock at the point of admira-
ton for the fashion. AS for Miss Tilson,
you had merely to say: Why. of course:
it will be pleasure TO post your letter
''One of our greatest perils Is In this d.
rectfon. We exalt one virtue at the ex-
pense of another. l had a schoolmate who
not only never made friends. but really
made enemies through her determination
never to say the least thing that was not
altogether true She carried her truth
telling so far that she constantly involved
other people in trouble by doing what has
been regarded by school people shocking
from the days of the Romans until now.
She was a sort Of tale-bearer not because
she wanted to be so, but because her con-
science obliged her to reveal everyt hing
she knew, whether 1t was her own affair
or that of another"
lie \ Ole ns.wrz%
THAT girl" she said. was a goose Every
body knows that telling tales is perfectly
abominable."
Il agree with you In that. but Caroline
unfortunately never learned that simple
thing; in consequence she was Stunned as
girl and disliked when she grew older"
"A very important study for girls, as
important, | think, as Latin. algebra or
German, is to learn how TO be both tactful
and sincere. We must never knowingly
violate the truth. but there are times when
We may be silent and commit not sin. A lie
may be told by one who is a hypocrite,
without her opening her lips. There are
times when deception Is carried on by looks.
One must speak truth IL she speaks at all,
and one must not be. a coward. A sincere
nature reveals itself in tones and glances,
al we'll as In speech, but one who Is tactful
will learn delicacy. She will be careful not
to wound any ones feelings. She will re-
frain from putting herself forward and will
For instance, your friend Marjorie has
a beautiful complexion. You might have
said that coier suits your hair and eyes,
without calling attention to her figure. Al
though Mena is not quick at mathematics,
she writes good compositions. and I don't
believe you have ever compimented her
that talent. As for Miss Tiison, whom you
adore. you can make It all right with her
by being on the watch to accommodate her
next time Does she not let the girls some
times make her cup of tea at the noon
hour? And do you not sometimes carry
your luncheon with you to school? The
tactful person looks out for opportunities
to be helpful. without ever being obtrusiye.
t'Cheer US. Louise. you have done nothing
very dreadful after all. Nine-tenths of the
difficulty Is In finding out where our weak
points lie. Once they are discovered. IL Ia
very easy to guard against them I expect
to see you Is tactful as your sister Gene
We've by the time you are twenty"
Louise went away consoled. Genevieye
is her ideal. as elder sisters should all
ways be.