The Washington herald., 1909-04-18
OptimiStS Should STRIFE to Reach Higher
Plane, But Should Never Be-
come Discouraged.

ment" contest goes 10 r. H. Hartshorn.
OF 903 Webster street, for the following
eDitome Of "contenment:"
COntentment is cheerfuHy making the
most and the best Of the present in what
ever condition we find ourselves. The
past is gone. the future is not ours; live
to-day the most and the
best Of what we have. Just where We are.
getting and doing all the good possible.
The second prize of s. I have awarded
to z. lie Clerc. Takoma Park. d. c., who
sends in this quotation:
To-day is the time for laughter.
Tomorrow the time for tears,
Whatever may come hereafter,
Whatever Of woe with years.
To-day is the time TO borrow
The best that the gods can give;
We can sorrow, If need be. tomorrow,
But to-day is the time TO live.
To r. r Babcock sos Twenty-third
street. has been awarded third prize
This is the contribution:
The twilight crept Ger the landscape, and
spreading her dusly. dress,
Took slowly her fair-day daughter in her
lap for last earess.
And the soft gray stiffness as the evetide
maiden went,
Ger village and dale and hamlet spread
the spirit OF sweet content
Content looked into the nursery where the
little folks sang at play.
And fingered with two sweethearts by a
gate at the close Of day.
And shedding blessings everywhere, passed
on 10 a easement low
Where a lady sat with dreamful eyes and
hair that was white as snow,
Who wistfully watched the gIimrner faint
that was left by the setting sun.
All me. IL twas the sunset time Of life,
for her day was well-nigh done,
AND low-voiced memories returned as she
watched by her easement wide
Like a lullaby that a mother croons 10
her babe at eventide.
The following sentiments on Content
ment selected with great care from the
vast number sent in, seem 70 me to be
thoroughly worthy Of the five prizes Of 81
each;
Contentment does not depend upon what
a man has. but upon what he is. Il is
not determined by the soundness Of his
bank account, but by the well being OF
his body. Il does not spring from the
greatness Of his achievements. but from
the riches of his mind. It is not created
by the loveliness of his environment, but
BY the beauty Of his soul
w9f RUFUS PRATT.
Ills Ninth street northwest.
When my plans are overthrown and dis
appointments come 1 am comforted. for he
knows and He means il for my good.
When tempted 70 murmur. or even 10 re-
bel, the thought OF Christ strengthens me
70 rise above The temptation. To me He
is altogether lovely, my constant inspira-
ton in this life, the fUlfllment Of my
hope and JOY through eternity.
STELLA A. TAYLOR.
1885 " street northwest
Adjustment IS the secret OF content
ment- Every billOW on iife's ocean casts
a shadow, but It also holds imprisoned a
rainbow, and he who is in right adjust
ment TO the light sees the rainbows OF
promise through nfe's shadows and is
content u. D. CARTER.
Patent Ofice.
Good Lord. 1 pray
That sweet contentment in my heart hold
sway
No richer prize I ask
Than that each day my heart viii be
Filled with love and charity.
And faithfully 20 do lifes task.
Whether golden store 7 gain
Or in direst poverty remain,
Let me not be cast down.
Thou knOwest the state that suits me best
What worldly goods By me possessed
VIII win for me lifes crown.
So should I strive for some great end,
And every effort nObly bend
Till victOry's won.
Should failure come I'd understand
The guidance Of a Fathers hand
And say Thy will be done"
I20 Clifton street.
I would do what I pleased, and doing
what I pleased. I should have my will.
and having my will, I should be content
ed: and when one IS contented. there is
no more 20 be desired, and when there is
no more 10 be desired, there IS en- end OF
it-Cervantes.
E K. GoLDsBORoUGH, " D.
I53l K street.
Honorable mention:
Content to come, content 10 go,
Content 10 wrestle or to race,
Content 10 know or not 10 know,
Each in his place.
Lord grant Us grace 10 love Thee 50
That glad Of heart and glad Of face,
AT last we may sit, high or low,
Each in his place.
Where pleasures flow as rivers flow,
And loss has left no barren trace,
And all that are are perfect so.
Each in his place.
Christina G. Rossetti.
" Y. ".
The Decatur.
Everything in nature. from the smallest
plant 10 the human race has TO have a
beginning. a nucleus. SO in every dispo-
sition there has to be a starting point.
focus, a something TO build the founda-