Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-05-19
THOUGHTFUL KINDNESS AND
fORGETFUL SELFlSHNESS.

The following is from the pen of w.
o. Carrier, president of Carroll college,
and was written for the Masonic It'd
ings, of Milwaukee, viz:
In much of our travels these days we
see many examples of both. Not long
ago an old gentleman, by mistake, put
into the pay-bOx of a street car in one
of our smaller cities, quarter instead
OF a nickel. His appearance, while cul-
tured, indicated that he could hardly
afford to lose the extra amount. A gem
tleman-a stranger-sitting in that
end of the car, seeing this mistake,
asked the mOtorman, who was also the
man in charge of the car, if he might
collect the fares from the next four
persons entering the car aud return
them to the man making the mistake.
1t may seem small thing. but it was
greatly appreciated, and won our ad-
miration for his thoughtful kindness.
We were riding one day on through
train, late in the afternoon, when a lit
tie child, of perhaps a year or more,
became very fretful, much to the an
noyance of many of the passengers. The
tired mother, who had doubtless been
travelling all day, was trying without
avail to quiet the little child, but there
were expressions and remarks that only
embarrassed her the more 1t was then
that gentleman, with a winning way,
came across the aisle, persuaded the
little child into his strong arms, and as
he walked the aisle for time, quieted
and amused the child, giving rest to
a tired mother, and we hope a lesson
10 some impatient ones, by his example
nf fhnnnhff,,l IL
showed US how beautiful it is to bear
the burden of others. Others would
have done so, perhaps, had they been
more thoughtful.
Again we saw an elderly German
woman, who was passenger on train
In Northern Wisconsin She could nor,
understand the names of the towns as
called out by the Indifferent brake
man, nor could she read the names on
the passing depots. She became very
nervous and solicitous for fear she
might be carried by the place where
she wished to stop. A young lady
teacher on the train, observing the stu
alton, went over and sat with her and
made her sure that she would see her
off at the right place. That, too, was
thoughtful kindness.
At noon luncheon some time ago in
private dining room of hotel, SOME
nine or ten ct us were gathered be-
cause of business interests. The lunch
con had been arranged by one of the
men with the hotel management, for
a regular course dinner When the
walters brought in the meat course,
each person was served with roast beef,
1t chanced to be Friday, and it so hap
pened that the religious faith of one of
fbo ri VI hic 81,
meat. He quietly put it aside and
asked the waiter if he might have eggs.
Immediately the gentleman sitting nex..
did the same thing, not for conscience
sake, but because he was thoughtful to
see that there be no distinction that
might lead in any way to the embar-
rassment of just one in so large num-
ber. That, it seemed to me, was
thoughtful kindness.
But in contrast to this, it was my
fortune to take midnight train and
reach my destination at three o'clock
in the morning. The coach was well
filled with people, all of whom were
trying to rest and sleep for the duties
of the next day, when half dozen or
more high school basket ball team boys
came aboard the train, and for more
than an hour, with no regard for the
rights of others, made the time bideous
with songs and jesting, which were of
edification to none, but an annoyance
to all. We do not term this meanness,
but it was thoughtless selfishness.
Oftimes men come into a sleeping
car late at night or rise early ia the
morning, and by loud talk and need
less conversation awake other passen-
gers who have right to quietness. We
are impressed that it would be better
for the world if there was more thought
full kindness and less thoughtless sell
hshness. WILBUR o. CARRIER