The bee., 1908-01-02

M<&IL4N&Mn3 lne spirit OF Lne DAY
was not with him, for he had two
long hours to wait, and it was bitter
cold, and for some unaccountable rea-
son the station was locked.
A fiagman came to watch for a pass
ing express train Seeing the travel.
er's plight, the hsgman invited him
to come into his shack and warm
himself.
The fagman's home was a tiny
place. fitted out with the barest nee
essities, but, in varied contrast to the
surroundings, along one side of the
wall was a rough pine bookshelf con-
tanning well thumbed volumes OF all
that the world holds greatest in liter
ature. philosophy and science.
After short conversation the trav-
eler marvelled to find that the flag
man possessed a fund of knowledge
on most subjects. and OF the classics
in particular, which would have put
many a college professor to blush.
Why don't you leave this solitary
life of hardship and come to the town.
where with your learning you will
soon be one of the great lights ?"
asked the traveller, wondering at the
iagman's lack of ambition. Have
you no desire to better yourself?"
"No." replied the other, Il am con-
tent with my lot. have outdoor
work. indoor quiet with the compan-
ionship Of my books; ! make enough
to- live on and | want nothing more
] should be out of place among your
city folk. My friends are here in the
village. What more should l want ?"
For hours the traveller argued with
the flagman, and his home-bound train
passed unheeded. He was interested
in trying to save this great intellect
for the world. as he termed it, and
crying TO awaken some spark of am
bition In the man. but the flagman re-
fused to be Disconnected.
Are you satisfied with your posi-
ton In life-are you contented?" he
asked the traveller.
"Of course not" answered the tray
eler. Il should consider myself lack
ing in spirit if I were satisfied and
did not want to rise higher in life.
shall never be contented until reach
the top OF the tree"
Then, said the flagman, you are
not really thankful for the blessings
that you possess, bat merely look up
on them as steppingstones to other
chings. I am grateful for what little
| have aud am content to enjoy each
day as 1t comes. You go out into the
world, conquer it, and find your hap
piness in the anticipation of your sue
cess Leave me to give thanks Cor
what am enjoying now, while you
go and fight Tor what you want and
hope 20 enjoy later"
So each man went his waj.
The traveller In this incident is typi-
cal of the spirit OF push and ADVANCE
ment which is almost universal In this
land OF ours today
A fine spirit IL is. too. for it means
a chance for Development for the race.
but 1t also Includes the spirit of dis
content.
There Is about us a perfect con-
tagion OF dissatisfac tion which is nee
essary to progress. but some OF us
are running a fair risk of being
swamped in the discomfort and losing
the high aims that prompted it, all
because our aims and demands can
not DE gratified az once.
There are few " us who. like the
iagman. are content With our place
in life Most of as are striving for
more blessings Of one kind or another.
spiritual. mental and worldly
Would that Thanksgiving were held
every day to remind US Of the daily
blessings of which every one who
lives enjoys al least a few,