The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1908-07-09

And perhaps-yes. very likely-in
your desire to escape from the COM
monplaceness of your lot. you are neg
lecting the obvious duties of life. and
turning your back on some useful work.
some practical career. for which you
are perfectly well fitted.
Really, when one considers the sub
ject. it ceases to be amusing. Think OF
wasted years, the hearts consumed with
unfuifilled desires, with humiliation,
Jealousy. envy and despair; the homes
where there are plenty of girls and boys.
but no real sons and daughters--duti-
full, helpful and affectionate-only
number of morbid young creatures
throwing away their beautifulyouth in
vain efforts to be. or at least to seem to
be, something which they never can be.
Not that l would deprcciate or dis
courage the study of the arts except by
those of unquestionabie talent On the
contrary, as a means OF culture and
development, or as a recreation after
other work. the study of any of the arts
is eminentIy delightful and beneficial
to the individual and the race.
BY all means, if you have time and
money to expcnd upon such indulgeRces.
and are sure that you are leaving no
duty undone. practice the piano. and
the violin, and the mandolin: try to
sing, even, and TO elocute but crush out
an audience that dares to show its SER
pent head Paint abortivc landscapes
and distorted portraits of your patient
relatives. but don't hang them in the
drawing room or offer them for exhibit.
ton. Write poems and novels and eS-
says, If it gives you pleasure, but don't
expect editors TO accept and pay for
them. f-s'P
But, you say. how is one to know
whether there is anything in these eff
forts unless they are submitted to some
such test? True; but do not hurry,
Do not worry, Work patiently along,
if you are sure your motive is not the
ignoble one of self-aggrandizement. il
you feel that you are moved to your
work by a pure delight in beauty and
an urgent need of expression. and wait,
In these days there is always hand
stretched out to snatch the 'bushef'
from any bidder light of genius. rs
The main point is. know thyselfI"
That is. try to, Try half as hard as
you have probably tried to deceive your
self and others. 1t will not be an easy,
or pleasant process. but if undertaken
in the right spirit it will be a very
profitable one.
Don't do as I have often seen a plain
or faded woman do-piace yourself be-
fore a mirror in the most favorable
anu gaze Will upon
the delusiye rejection. forgetting that
you are not going to carry that becom-
ing glamour about with you, but be
stared at in the full light of garish day .
by the cold eyes of an unfeeling world.
No; don't do that, -s-f-s
Rather brace up, and, putting YOUR
self under veritable searchlight. ex-
anime yourself rigidly from every pos
sibie point of view physical, mental
and moral. Don't spare yourself one
shock or one pang. Compare yourself
with the finest specimen of manhood
or wOmanhood you know. Subject your.
self. in short. to 4 sort of mental Turk
ish bath; writhe and groan. if you must,
but keep it up, Then, when you have
alternately burned with vexation and
shivered with horror. until all clogging.
vanities and illusions have been cleared
away, and YOU are in a condition to
judge yourself without any tendency to
fattery. proceed in humble and con-
trite spirit to take account of stock. as,
it We're. and gaze unfiinchingly upon
the man or woman nature made youe~5
In all probability you will see very
unnoticeable person. indeed, with no
salient qualities of mind or body to lift
you above or sink you below the multi
tude of your feilow-creatures.
One need not let the discovery dis
heartcn one. Reflect that the tendency
to exception is far oftener in the direc-
tion of ugliness and disease and stupidi-
ty and vicicusEess than it is in that OF
superior beauty. health, intelligence or
virtue. Reflect that superior gifts en-,
tail far greater responsibilities and
perils, and by no means insure happi-
ness. Be grateful for having been born
with even average advantages in the
fierce fight for existence. Above all.
N ox-iD aochpl the kadrnpt< of raaI+
self, be brave enough and honest enough
to stand confessed what YOU are, and
see what you can do in the way of im-
proving such desirable qualities. or
overcoming such undesirable ones, as
you may happen to possess.
Cultivate your taste for the beauti-
full and even a desire to excel, but let
your studies include contentment of
spirit, the power to admire without
envy or emulation. modesty, sympathy,
tact, unselfshness, and, be-
fore you are aware of it. you will have
become lovable agreeable and admir-
able. And you will have ceased to be.
Brooms should always hang when~not
in use Have a hole bored thru the
handle four inches from the end and
large enough to slip over an ordinary
nail When left on the floor a broom
soon loses its shape, and will not do
good work.
To remove tea, coffee, cocoa or
chocolate stains, soak in cold water
first then place the stain over a bowl
and pour boiling water thru it. holding
the tea kettle at hight to insure force.
A small piece of window glass will be
useful for holding the leaves apart on
a cook book. and one can read the
recipe and not soil the book by too
much handling.
Water in which rice has been boiled
may be used for starching cid lace.
,hoice handkerchiefs. etc. 1t gives a
soft and dainty stiffness which adds a
harm to the appearance.
Hair pillows are nice for baby's crib
n buggy. They can be washed in the
hottest of water and dried by artificial
Means and no damage is done them.