The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-03-14
ALWAYS BE PROMPT.

Probably no man among all the prOml-
nent men of this country possessed the
virtue of promptness to higher degree
than George Washington. He was prompt
in decision and prompt in action. Among
the practical moralities of life the habit of
prompt decision should hold no mean rank.
But few persons fully appreciate how
much saving of time, how much personal
comfort. how much actual success and
happiness is involved in it; indeed it is
chiefly through the evil effects of neglect
that we estimate it's value. 1t is not un-
common to meet with people who seem to
be nearly destitute of this quality. On
the most trivial question they will pause
to consider and to make qualifications.
If asked their opinion of some new book
or new enterprise, of the prospects for
business or the harvest, or candidate
for office, they tire out the most patient
listener. If any one asks of them ia
vor, they cannot decide whether to grant
or refuse it; and SO long do they hesitate
that the petitioner would often be glad to
withdraw the request. Their children
tease and harrass them with importuni
ties, because they rarely hear a decisive
Eyes" or mo" The daily instances in
which they are called upon to decide
chiefly on unimportant matters are sources
of continual pain to themselves and an
noyance to others. They cannot make up
their minds what to do or what to wear,
where to go or when to return. They
hesitate over an offer in business until it
is too lato; they delay selling an eppor-
tunity until it is gone. Two different
courses are open to them, and they spend
so much time in comparing them that they
can follow neither to advantage. Those
who value their time cannot waste it in
waiting for them, and after much delay
and irritation they leave such indecisives
to themselves. In fact their whole lives
seem to be a series of waverings, that end
in no definite result except that of disap-
pointment and inaction.
Of course the excuse given for this
course, is the fear of making wrong de-
cisions, and such fear is not by any
means groundless. But it is only think
ing to a purpose that will guard against
his, and such thinking is not present in
he dreamy reverie in which such people
indulge, A certain amount of time and
thought is due to every choice that is
made and every answer that is given.
How much this shall be is a problem for
zach to solve. Life is too short and duties
90 many to allow of unnecessary delay.
numerous petty matters it is better to
,e prompt, even at the risk of an occa-
ional mistake, than to consume valuable
ime in debating. In important matters,
where rash and hasty decisions are of
course to be avoided, it is we'll to fix
suitable time for consideration, and to
,bide by the limits. But it is far less the
ear of making mistakes than the dislike
II making decisions at all that leads to
his dilatoriness. If the time thus taken
we're faithfully devoted to resolute thought,
.eading up to wise choice, something
might be said in its favor, but this is not
the case. Usually a small portion of it
would be amply sufficient for this pur-
pose, while the whole of it is frequently
spent in weakly wavering from side to
side and drifting nowhere in particular.
Much may be done to conquer this
weakness by those who become conscious
OF it. They may school themselves into
promptness of word and action, even at
the cost OF soma mistakes and LOSSES The
very penalty TINS adopted and borne will
help them to think more quickly and to
the point IN the future. In the matter of
promises and important decisions for
which they are unprepared they can set a
time for the final word, and compel them
selves to adhere to it, it is however in ear.
~ life that the habit of promptness may
most easily be. acquired. Parents should
accustom their children to choose and de-
eide many things for themselves, teaching
them to think quickly and effectively, pro-
hlblting changes without sufficient cause.
and allowing them to experience the nat
ural consequences of their determinations.
In this way they will gradually learn to
bear responsibility, and to acquire as
much rapidity of thought and word as is
consistent with its Importance and effect
iveness.
Some of the teachers in Baton Rouge
are growing tired of the Spectacular in
their avocation. They do not like the
pmnlOunpnp4 of Misc Mo,t,,,