The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-07-05
INFLUENCE
ella Wheeler wilcox.)

, self what sort of an influence you are
exerting on your associates? When
you have called ON an acquaintance or
met friend accidentally, has it oc'
CURED to you that you left some Inn
preston. some change of atmosphere,
for better or worse?
Not long ago a lady was ushered
into the home of mutual friend.
The friend had passed through a cal
amity a few months previously, and
was trying to regain her old whole
some view of life by avoiding as much
as possible all talk of sickness, trou-
BILE and gloom.
The lady who called is a woman of
talents which have been recognized;
she is of fine presence, dresses with
elegance, has devoted husband, who
is respected among men, and earth's
choicest pleasures have been laid at
the feet of this pair.
Yet this thrice-blessed woman
walked into the home Of the GONZALES
| cling friend with the face Of martyr.
Il am bundle of quivering nerves"
| was her first greeting. Every step
took walking down the street / felt
all my nerves centering in my brain
with throbs of anguish"
But you look the picture of health
and vigor and opulence,' l protested. |
'Oh, you do not know" the elegant
martyr answered. Il have been |
through such a strain for years.
have borne such burdens. My work |
is very exhausting, you know"
I'VE all bear burdens in this life.
said. That is what life means.
And your work has brought you
splendid returns You have every
reason to be happy and grateful"
20, but / wondered this mora6ng
as l walked along if it was worth all
it costs. am so nervous" etc.
And then for another half hour the
brilliant woman continued to talk of
the strain of life, the drudgery of
work. the ingratitude of the world, the
sensitiveness of her nerves, until the I
beautiful spring day seemed like a {
march equinoctail chill, with east
winds and cold rains.
1t never occurred to this gifted and ,
fortunate woman that she was guilty
of as great a sin as if she had entered
that house and robbed the hostess and
her guests of their jewels.
Yet he who depresses and saddens
another by his physical talk and his e
recitation of physical ailments does a is
ar greater wrong than he who takes C
lis purse. Y
Thousands of these mental house
'obbers are walking boldly into the
lone of friends and acquaintance all
'ver the land and stealing the actual
happiness that belongs to it. Yet the
heerfulness so stolen becomes ashes Ct
o soon as it is taken and the thief III
oes forth no richer, while the victim ti
5 the poorer.
For not only are such people thieves
ut they are vandals as well. They
axe only to destroy. 1t is often a >
'onder to me how women who pride
upon their refinement, and
no avoid whatever seems common ~
nd vulgar, can place themselves upon W.
lch common vurgar level with the
'eat army of winners. ~
20
There is nothing in the world so -,
'mmon and cheap as the habit of ~.
liking about nerves and ife's burdens
Id physical ailments and mental de- -
essions to every causual acquaint- -
ce
Yet 1t is almost impossible to re-
i've caller or to attend a social
notion without listening to this kind
depressing conversation Where a
end has been through great trouble
d is broken on the wheel of sickness
sorrow we should be willing to
ten at times and comfort and soothe
t have observed that It is not the
'ple who go through the Gethsem.
IS of life who are the complaining
'simists. II is usually those who
'e Ave blessings to each annoyance.
who have health and wealth to
ghten their ways, who go about IN
guise Of human blankets.
you stop for one moment and
nj over your friends who leave you
b new cheer and courage and hope -