Evening journal., 1907-11-27
WHAT IN THE WAY OF COURTESY
SHOULD BE EXPECTED FROM A
HIGH SCHOOL PUPIL
BY Elsie NJ. Waller.
One Of the winners Of the First THE JOURNAL High
School Contest

pet" and you want the teacher to like
YOU" because we are trying to be
polite and to do what is right. Here
the home training is manifested. Some
have inherited a respect for the rights
Of others, and this inheritance united
with thorough training since birth
makes it easy for them, but for the
ones deprived OF these advantages IT
is indeed very hard pulling. One o.
the greatest benefits derived from
education is a clear conception of what
true liberty means We learn that
there are others to be considered, and
that the truest liberty is the observ-
ance of the highest law. that is no man
can enjoy unrestrained freedom re-
gardlecV of the result. One can not
have this understanding and live
thereby without observing the rules Of
good manners.
Let us cite some examples Of
courtesy: For instance. here comes a
teacher. from another direction three
girls advance. they meet at the door,
and one girl opens and holds it for
her to enter first. In some way or
another. neither hardly knows how
the day is brighter. the troubles are
lighter on account of that one act. No
one can tell the amount of good a
cheering word or a friendly glance
viii accomplish. It is like the re-
freshing rain drops which triclSle slow
ly into the soil. for weeks no one
knows where they are hiding them
selves, but by and bv the harvest is
reaped, and we discover that secretly,
the tiny drops have been nourishiug
the grain, and in consequence. the
cleaners gather an abundance In the
same way, by repeated acts fraught
with thought, we become so consider
ate, and our dispositions so sweet that
the fires Of admiration are lSindled IN
the heart of every person with whom
we come in contact. and we are indeed
rewarded. He who forgets to say.
good morning." to his classmates and
professor has failed 20 discover the
most pleasant way to begin a day.
When strangers visit us we should Of
fer them book. and t. necessary, con-
duct them courteouslv through the
building.
Talking while the instructor is
teaching is the height of in manners.
At no time can courtesy and rudeness
be shown to better advantage than at
the lunch hour Racing through the
corridors. tumbling over one another
going downstairs and scrambling and
pulling to see who can reach the lunch
counter first. does not in any wise
measure up TO the required standard
of courtesy. Recently a number Of
gff
the auditorium of a High School. and
nearby sat some visitors. When the
selection to be sung was announced,
one Of the young ladies offered her
book to the strangers; however they
did not use it. inasmuch as it did not
seem to be appreciated. She replied.
"For courtesy's sake" This involves
a great deal of thought, and no mat
ter how considerate we wish to be.
sometimes forgetfulness overpowers
thoughtfulness.
The eyes Of the city are upon High
School pupils; for, according to their
conduct now. so viii be the rule OF
those in authority in the future gener-
ations In the public buildings. such
as the library, on the street. and ir
the cars we are criticized: therefore ii
behooves us to guard against dis.
/ courtesy and rudeness at all times
When the principal arises from his
seat in a car. Offering the same to 2
lady, and boy of his own school slips
INTO it. or when a young man keeps
his seat while nearby stands an old
gentleman. I am sure the onloolxer,
form poor opinion OF our pupils. II
Is not always the most pleasant thiur
to do; but when people with grips
suit cases or baskets enter the car. ;
young gentleman or lady should NOV,
in, thus giving room to them. Loui
talking on the street is a glaring ex.
ample of iil-manners. indeed the cut
ture of a family may be measured bS
the tone Of voice adopted by its mem.
bers. Anything that attracts attep.
ton on the street. whether it be loud
voices, loud dressing. or any unseemls
behavior, detracts from the esteem II
wrich our American school girl de-
serves to be held. We see exaggerated
walking every day. Girls with locke.
arms are seen walking the streets. foui
and even six in a row, and il makes nC
difference If the President of tn.
United States wanted to pass they
would make no break in the line. We
grow careless Of the manner Of greet.
ing our friends on the street.
People rush hurriedlv along and say
how do" No one is going TO stop anC
.eu them how he is getting along, bu