The Washington times., 1907-06-21
Don't Be Too Sure

Rap on wood, quick; rap on steel or
marble or curbstone; something that
will hurt the knuckles and make you
stop and think!
Rap hard. and rap some sense into
your brains; standing there as you are
doing and Boosting Of your prowess. Of
how you accomplish things; the new
housemaid a treasure; health Of the
family always first rate; the students
at the head OF tie class; no black sheep
hanging by the wool 10 toe limbs OF an
cestral trees or bleating in the modern
bushes.
Rap, quick; or fate viii mark YOU for
victim, and the slate will score up
rapidly with Ills against you. Don't you
know that In this-Iife that mortals must
rejoice with fear and trembling. and
that to proclaim good luck or good
cheer in a loud voice Is equivalent to in
Niting sneers. and opposition and de-
rision, even Matchmaking. backbiting
and whispered scandal, snubs, and ha-
tired?
Well, it is; just ask your more en-
lghtened brethren, and each will tell
you of how some boasting on his part.
brought back quick answer in a slap. or
disaster, or mean word spoken. mean
thought INDUCED. or a harmful action.
No apparent reason except the fact
that human nature is not proof against
the malicious envy which arises and
chokes unbidden when some rival or So
claI or business equal wins success. and
the success is. accomplished bv vain
glorious Growing.
POOR human nature manages u main
taih respectable decorum when silence
ttIgns on the Victors part, when indica-
lions seem 10 point that greatness has
been thrust on reluctant shoulders. not
achieved by superior effort; in short.
When the winner poses as a victim of
favorable circumstances with art so con-
summate as to DEFY detection.
Human nature, then, has been known
10 absolve the sin and to Forget the
lmpudence and to draw in the claws
once more. and to smile the smile Of dis
lntereStedness.
But never in the case OF loud-mouthed
oodsUnE, and public Wanting. or self
punmg up. Even inorganic matter has
grudge or spite against folly such
Is TINS and boosters who have stretched
toItil rusty muscles and Haunted robust
nfaith in public have been known TO
pe lflpped up by sidewalks, bones
broken. heads crushed. or the noble
business OF which they have loudly
pIdIed goes 10 smash. or fire breaks out.
or sickness slyly enters the family.
No accounting for such dOings. but
SIMPLY stating facts. OF course. a prior
Boosting gives greater prominence TO the
collapse when the latter happens And
Snotner truth appears right here-name-
". that a prior silence sometimes con
ceals collapse. from prying eyes later:
at least tpe misery is somewhat lesssned
when there has been no stupid and
uncaIled Tor heralding OF the fortune
which has now gone into oblivion; the
grief is not as wretched when the treas
ure is lost. as 1t would be had open
idOlatTous worship been haunted
At any rate in your joy or fortune. or
attainment. b. considerate of other ueo-
pie, for there are many whose lives have
been so full of misfortune. Of III health
OF evils not of their own making. that
hearts are hard and rebellious. and a
tiny spark incites TO hatred
Rejoice. but rejoice as the Good Book
says. with fear and tremblingi