The Washington herald., 1907-12-26

Thinking isn't always a good. useful
occupation. It depends upon the thinker
and a good deal more upon the
thought" Those words met my eyes
as 1 opened a book at random. and all
through the day 1 pondered over them.
Thinking is an important part OF life
! realized that-and after a while I
came 10 see why some achieve and
others fall by the wayside The former
think 10 some purpose, while the latter
dwell upon harmful subjects and think
of frivolous things that do them no
good whatever.
The power Of concentration is a gift
for which TO offer daily thanks II
enables one 10 do tasks easily and
quickly. under any and all conditions.
I saw a young woman write long and
elaborate letter in street car, one day.
and I marveled at her complete
absorption in her task Passengers
came and went, she was jostled on one
side then on another. but she paid no
attention 10 anything but that letter.
She moved uncOnsciOusIy TO make room
for a woman OF the aggressive type
who did not consider IL necessary to
take her manners abroad with her.
and the epistle was finished long before
she reached her destination. 1t was
fine example OF a concentrated mind
-achievement viii always be possible
20 that girl
The great part Of careless. inem-
cient work Is done By men and women
who are thinking Of other things than
their duty. / once read some advice
offered 10 humble workers by a woman
with a reputation for cleverness. how
achieved 1 do not know. for that sample
was not good. She urged housewives
10 learn bits of poetry while perform
ing their homely tasks as a means OF
education and relaxation from the
daily grind. How is IL possible TO put
the mind 10 memorizing lines and use
Il. at the same time. in measuring the
ingredients OF a cake? How thorough
y would a room be busted II the
imagination was straying thousands OF
miles away
It is thousand times better TO put
the mind on the homely tasks and get
them out OF the way with dispatch
Then allow oneself the proper kind Of
relaxation and the results everywhere
VIII be better. I actually know a
woman who is kept thin and worn
looking because she viii not conquer.
once and for all, her habit OF procrasti-
nation. The duties required Of her are
few and easy. but she makes real bur
dens of them by pushing them aside
until her conscience drives her through
them Mind you, she never forgets
them for a single minute, and that is
why she remains thin and looks as If
she were worked to death, which
annoys a good husband who tries 20
make life easy for her. She does his
care no credit as FAR as looks go. and
she never seems TO have any spare time
You will find the same kind Of workers
in shops. in Offices, and IN homes
women who live outside of the real
business of their lives. and they get
indignant when they are told that il
gives a good reason for dispensing
with their services.
A wise society girl who manages to look
stunning on a small allowance unwitting-
ly betrayed her secret by her criticism OF
some pretty wage-earners who were hag-
Cling over cheap millinery. 81 wonder
why some good angel does not tell them
TO buy less and better material, Those
hats are overloaded. and not a bit OF the
material can ever be put 10 use again.
The first sharp shower Of rain or snow
will leave them In a disreputable condi-
ton. which must be endured for the re-
mainder Of the season. A good felt hat.
with silk or ribbon trimmings. would be
weather-proof, and a great deal more
elegant"
/ did some things as I carefully in
spected the speaker. She looked mod
ish 90 degree. but thought I could
remember her street suit two years
back. although 1t showed no trace of
wear. The braid was fresh. the coat
lining clean and whole. and both skirt