Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-12

YGRILY, this is strange world.
The other day the proprietor of
" the Magasins du Louvre was
given the much-coveted Cross OF
the Legion of Honor of the
highest degree-a grand cross OF the
order-and behind his name were
the words "art collector" NJ. Chau-
chard is indebted for this hon
orable mention solely to having bought
Mulet's "Angelus'' for an enormous sum
and presenting 1t to the French nation
thereby preventing the masterpiece from
emisratinE to America. The award of the
Crnss of Honor has been given for this
act OF patriotism and generosity But
tbsra Is an amusing side to the question
that strikes one. Millet. the man of ge-
nius lived and died in poverty, and most
n, the money he received from his great
canvas was attached by creditors he
Milet. the creator of the masterpiece
was knight OF the Legion OF Honor-the
lowest rank-and the man who boughl
n IS hoisted to the summit with the help
of the same work. To repeat. this IS
strange world. But l hardly think MIL
Let would care to be looked upon as an
object of commiseration even II ne khe"
the sequel to the story, for is there any
thing quite so insulting TO sensitive
mind as pity? Only yesterday a friend
was pouring into my ear long ahd
really tragic tale OF domestic misfortune
for which there seemed no possible rem
eAy only too gladly would l have heIped
her il IL had been in my power, put al
could do was to regret my ihapltity 10 10
ANYTHING. But you have helped me
Your sympathy has been SO sweet ana
Won have no idea what a comfort IL Is 10
feel that one Is an object OF pity 1e
gods an object OF pity! All the way
home I marvoled on state or MIND that
could ind SO much consolation IN oelns
pitied Personally. II any one should tel
me that he sorry for me wouId
never speak to him again. If he must Feel
for me In his heart, the only thing ask
Il that he will not faunt his SORROW for
me in my face. for. when you come TO
think of II. what possible good can IL be
10 any one to feel that he was inspiring
pity in those around h!mE IL seems TO
me II YOU cannot inspire envy you might
as well be dead. Indeed. as far as that
goes II nobody envies you you are prac-
ticAlly dead, while If you are pitied you
ara buried also In the bargain.
Pity a Recognition Of Failure.
For after all what Is pity but the rec
ogrition on the part of our neighbors
that we have failed? Most of us have
started out in life with some shred OF
ambition. some ragtag OF an ideal to
which we have aspired. II may have
only been to get on to make money. 10
+. win fame or to be good. or, most pathetic
OF ALL our ambition may have been to be
happy. When We fail in any or all OF
these things a certain number of ouI
friends are sorry for us. especially when
they are prosperous themselves, and In
stead OF hating them for their democrat
fxing pity the majority of people are quite
pleased TO accept it-in fact, they find II
does them good Now, of course, there
Is sympathy and sympathy. Without q
certain amount humanity could moi
keep on In It's desperate struggle. We
cannot altogether live or die to ourselves
and sympathy with others has been the
motive force of all great moral and pril-
~'~ movements. But in individual