The Washington herald., 1907-12-31

The most sympathetic girl in the world
looked tired. Four people had been 70 see
her that morning. Each Of them had
poured some trouble into her ears Every
one does so. II they didn't know before
that they had trouble. they think Of one
as soon as they see her. She is so
sympathetic that Ele Just simply invites
such condolences, without guessing her
own guilt in the matter.
To every tale of woe she listened as II
IL were the one sorrow in the world OF
paramount interest. She did not let her
eyes wander TO the clock. nor her fingers
hdget with the piles OF work lying wait
ing on her desk. She did not once look
vacantly of into space. nor let fan a
random remark / know her, I know
with Just what whole-hearted. intense in
terest she listened 10 eTery word. what
sensible comments she made. how helpful
was the advice she offered, and how
cheered the troublous one went away
from her.
Then I know how she sighed. and turned
a little lifelessly TO her work. and how 1t
took her some time 10 get up the proper
animation TO do il well. For one cannot
thsow ones self completely into other
peoples woes and pour out perpetual
stream Of commiseration without having
ones own energies sapped TO some degree
People impose on the most sympathetic
girl IN the world. They never dream how
selfish they are.
But I thlak I detect the faint begin
nings OF a turning of the worm.
"So-and-so was fl TO see me just before
you came" she said, wearily. I'm afraid
I didn't give her much help She told me
lot about her trouble over at G-'s
But I was so utterly worn out that I
couldn't think Of thing to say to her.
It's too bad, for know she came TO me
for sympathy
Don't let that worry you" I told her.
seeing her real distress. IF few people
could just get a small icicle from you
once in awhile it would cure them Of
coming up here to dribble imaginary
troubles into your ears.
That is not kind Of you," she said. u
Ike 70 help people
And you do" I answered. when the
trouble is real. and there is some actual
thing to be done. But haven't you no.
the sake OF hearing themselves talk and
finding somebody to listen 10 them? It's
bad for them. And it's most unfair 10
yourself.
And a little later when I casually men
toned my headache, and made a tenta-
tive little moan about some vexation Of
my own. the sympathetic girl was so far
from encouraging me as TO look coidly
out OF the window and observe, pleas
antly. that il looked like snow.
Which hurt my feelings, Of course. But
will even have my feelings hurt, if the
worm, for her own sake. will turn.
One young woman is puzzling over the
problem of how she could possibly have
escaped receiving a single pocket-handker-
chief, in view of all that were purchased
in this city before Christmas. She says
she herself witnessed sufficient of these
useful articles bought 10 stretch all the
way around the earth and reach a re-
spectacle distance toward the moon.
What became of them all. she does not
know, but not one came her way. in spite
OF her urgent need, and she was over
heard pathetically Detitioning a friend TO
inform her OF the srst mussed mouchoir
sale heard OF. in order that she might
supply this lamentable oversight on the
part of her friends.