Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1907-08-05
TWO GIRL SHOPPERS.

ooh what's the use in stopping to
look at those things? You know we
can't buy any of them! You're only
wasting time!"
Theo and Blanche were two girl
friends, down town together for an
afternoons shopping. They had
paused before a window display OF
costly paintings and bric-a- brac,
while Blanche tried impatiently to
hurry her on.
"But who wants to buy them?"
Theo asked wonderingly. "Pm not
sure should even want them, If |
could. They wouldn't harmonic,
| you see, with our plain little home.
But that's no reason why | can't en-
| JOY them, is it, Blanche?"
"Wen, I don't see how you can"
Blanche replied, turning her back on
the tasteful display. at only ag-
gravates me to think there's so much
in the world that luckier people can
have, and that I can't. Things are
pretty unevenly divided anyhow, I
think!n
"But that's not the way I look at
it," Theo said gravely. "Mother has
taught me to appreciate beautiful
things, wherever [ see them. And I
always consider myself fortunate to
be able to see and admire them, even
if 1 never hope to own them"
"Wen, I DON'T" Blanche said,
rather shortly. "Come, we'd better
be hurrying along before the stores are
crowded" And she and Theo went
about their shopping.
There are many people who, like
Blanche, are only bitter by the sight
of things beyond their means to
possess. They cannot understand the
pleasure to be found in intelligent
appreciation in a quick, impersonal
way. Yet this pleasure is constant
delight to the girl who has learned it.
1t is quite independent of ownership,
and marks the difference betwe en-
sunshiny content and dissatisfied
complaining. In time, indeed, the
appreeiative girl will develop into
CHEEKY, successful, happy woman;
while the one who is unthinkingly
guilty of the sin OF covetousness may
degenerate into soured, faultfnding
grunrbler. And there is no question
as to which of these two girls was the
happier or gave more happiness to
others.
The environment of the American
girl is subject to many changes The
self-supportiDg, economizing young
stenographer of to-day may be the
wealthy woman of tomorrow. But
wealth without culture seldom brings
happiness; while culture, which is
possible to all, givesj lifelong Joy
quite independent of riches. For the
sake of your present and of your flu
ture, whatever it may be, girls, do not
| let opportunities for learning to
know and appreciate the best things
i'll art, literature and life slip by un-
needed. Because an expensive paint
ing is beyond your reach, do not
turn from it with averted eyes; be-
cause beautiful jewels are not for you
do not let their glowing lustre stir
you to envious thoughts. Appreciate
and enjoy them all, and life will be
the richer for you.
The shopping trip may be real
means of education and culture to the
bright girl who has eyes to see and
has learned through nature or bird
study to make observations for her
self. Beautiful fabrics, softly blend
ed rugs, choice faience and fine china,
statuary, etchings, and the thousand
and one little refnements of life are
spread out in our larger cities for her
admiration and inspection. Intelli
gent questions usually meet with
quick response on the part of atten-
dants; and many bit of interesting
Information may be picked up from
the objects themselves.
And don't forget this: that enjoy
ment does not imply ownership in a
literal sense. The finest things in life
are already yours for the taking
beautiful sights, sweet harmonies;
pictures, real and painted; blue skies
and sunshine; the lovelight in your
mothers eyes; the affection of broth
er and sister, and the loyal, loving
pride of your father. If these things
are yours, life is giving you its best
and sweetest, however slender your
purse. Happiness and sweet con-
tent lie in intelligent appreciation of
your blessings whether these be
found in the loving protection of the
home, or in the daily opportunities
for education and culture which even
he prosaic shopping trip may be
made TO yield.-Seiected