The Washington herald., 1908-03-03
THE OPTIMIST.


Much has been written by men who felt
deeply and who could express themselves
well about the calling OF the literary
man II is a calling every one has rec
ognized. which has about Il immense
privileges and intense responsibilities
which. as Stevenson said. pay Il as you
VIII. is often underpaid,7 and yet which
those who follow It in the right spirit
woG.S Vet pursue were the wages much
less than they are. have been moved
to these reflections by some musings on
the subject INDUCED in by that excel
lent lay-preacher, Thackeray. who took
Hoods life as the text for one OF the
most charming Of his essays. He talked
with wisdom OF the humOr Of Hood and
Of how the light things he wrote betrayed
the infinite possibilities in the man Of
more serious work. But Thackeray talked
best about Hoods life. which, in spite
OF its humility and lack OF pretension,
was clean life, well lived, virtuous, and
fairly happy. Says he:
/ Ike. / say. Hoods life even better than bis
books. and ! wish. with an my heart monsieur et
cher confrere, the SAME eogia be said fer both
q Us. when The iDkstream a our lie hath ceased
% nun What ought % he the literary
mans point q honor noWadaysi Suppose. friendly
reader. yOu are one Il the craft. what LEGACY
would you like % leave % your chidrcns First n
an land By Heavens gracious help sou would
plan and strive 20 give them S1cA an endowment
o. love as should last certsiny for al their lives,
and perhaps De Transmitted 10 their children You
would lhy the said aid and blessingl keep your
honor pure. and transmit name unstained %
those who nave the right 20 bear H. You would
though tins faculty q giving Is enc Of The earliest
Of the literary mans CualitiCs-y0u would. out a
your earnings. small or great be able 70 help a
poor brother in need % dress his wounds and 4
u we're but twopeuce. % give Him succoT-
You VII, 4 letters be your vocation. find saving
harder than Spending and giving To save be
your CudtaTOr. 700. against the nights coming
vhen no man nav work; when the. arm is weau
Hith the long days labor; when the brain per
haDs gTOws dark; when the Old who can Iabor 10
more, want warmth and rest, and the young ones
call for saUper
There have been many sermons preached
by able men as 10 the duties Of those
who write for the public but few have
taken 50 serious a view CT the duties OF
thrift as Taackeray takes. and yet.
after ali. he was the one literary man
who knew the value Of his doctrine.
And the doctrine which he enunciated
for literary men is a doctrine that. may
wei be taken 70 heart By any laborer in
I
! Thrift is much more than an expression
of selfish caution: il is a solemn duty
which aIl-especially those who believe in
J the gospel Of healthfUl Optimism-Owe 10
themselves. 10 those dear 10 them, and 20
the world at large
Thackerly addressed his little sermon
with Hood as his text % literary men be
cause. somehow. the profession Of let
( tcrs-n IL be successfully carried out
seldom carfies with II an instinct foI
business. The money earned from the
inkwen has about "a something OF the
elusive quality Of the money earned a;
the gaming TABLET disappears quickly,
3 IL is usually ~ any mans service; IL lasts
but little while but while Il is there II
giees happiness and JOY 10 as many as
/ possible.
I Gambling Is not a worthy enterprise
I but I have no doubt il is delightful one
and VIXEN a gambler has won he has. be-
/ sides The actual gains. the memory OF a
contest III which he has come of victor
and the mere gains are, often. the leas.
part Of his JOY. So r. IS I take IL. with
your man OF letters. The money he earns
( he earns in spite OF himself. II is not FOR
/ that that he has burned the midnight
] oil. racked his brain for a happy turn. o.
/ searched the EaUnts OF the Graces f0i
words IN which htly 10 express hi,
/ thoughts Once he has completed his IS.
I say. his sermon, his nOvel-what YOU vii
his task is done; Il has been. In spite
+ Of its hardshipS- beautifully joyous
I task and now, 10. such are the reward.
( that come 70 some. ne may get actua
3 money! sheer superluity. so il mus
/ seem 70 him-for a task that has brought
him nothing but pleasurei
~ fe Sc ft,f - -.
rest upon the man Of letters He IA
4 great opportunities; he must use then
greatly For him. more than for men Il
/ other calIings. II becomes a bounden dut,
Y 70 be honest in his life, speaking th
truth as God bids him, just and IRE
/ pcoachable in his dealings; winning tn
love and respect OF his friends; deservin.
honor from his country: giving happiness
and leliskt % The would.