The Washington herald., 1910-01-09

who can afford TO neglect the culture of
those traits Of character which make for
happiness and contentment.
want 10 give you a gentle reminder
of one Of the duties Of the new year
one of the resolutions of the ciub-the
getting OF new members, You cannot
better prove your optimism than in
bringing into our fold some one who
needs the comfort and the cheer Of as
ISOLATION and contact with our helpful
and hopeful brotherhood.
For the benefit or any one Who may
not have heard of the club. I want to
say that membership is free and the
badge OF the members is an attractive
button bearing the motto, Let's help."
This button Will be sent upon appliea-
ton. a blank being printed every Sun
day for that purpose. All members are
eligible to compete for the weekly prizes
offered for the best sentiments on given
topic
Next Sundays expressions will be in
vited on the idea OF Bearing Burdens"
Contributions should be on my desk not
later than noon OF next Wednesday. The
contributions should not be too long. as
there are many contributors who earn
honorable mention. but whose express
sions cannot be printed owing TO lack OF
space.
I hope you will not think it paradox
cal that we want new members while We
haven't the space TO print the contribu-
tons which we are getting now. am
sure you viii all be glad TO welcome new
names from time to time and be willing,
If yours does not appear TO read what
others have to say. The more we have
to select from the better will be those
that are given honorable mention.
The first prize this week goes TO Hen
son B. Hicks, Bureau American Repub-
lies, whose contribution appears else
where on this page.
The second prize is awarded Mrs. Clara
F. Williams. who writes the following:
Nothing is more infectious than cheer
fulness. love, and good-fellowship OPP
tinisrn grows because these qualities are
its fundamental characteristics, broad
ening, strengthening, and spreading its
wonderful power; and more than that. It
is GOd-given.
The third prize is won by Miss r. r.
McGrath for this expression:
There are many reasons why optimism
should grow. but il seems TO me the
most important one would be the lesson
We learn in everyday life from an old
maxim. Laugh. and the world laughs
with you: weep. and you weep alone"
OF course. when grief or misfortune OF
any kind comes directly into our own
homes human nature seems TO shut out
tho spirit Of optimism, and il is only by
continual perseverance that we can ex-
peCt to conquer our melancholy inclina-
tons al those times: but If We are per-
sistent enough we will find. unbeknown
10 ourselves, that optimism has become
q part OF our being I think the follow
ing motto would be appropriate on the
subject named:
"'Tis easy enough to be pleasant when
life goes along like a song.
But the man worth while is the man
with a smile when everything goes
dead wrong"
The five 81 prizes are distributed this
week as follows:
Whatever lives must advance; retro
erosion Is death. Optimism is alive, oh.
divinely alive and pulsant It grows
according to the law of the survival OF
the fttest. It's sacred energy is not to be
Hithstood.
And I am glad to believe that OPP
timism grows because its true home is
in the heart OF mankind: that m the soul
OF man IT has found a certain shelter
and a congenial comrade.
None would smother the perfume of
the roses. nor drown the sweet and sub
tie spirit OF optimism; the one delights
the senses. the other steals with a soft
radiance over the soul.
Optimism grows because the blood of
three mighty motives pulses In It's veins:
with the strength of a strong man it
overcomes; with the smile OF a happy
woman it entrances; with the sweetness
Of the roses It allures. Blessed be CD
timism, for It lives. and Is real. and
must grow! ]. RUSSELL, MCCARTHY.
Huntingdon, Pa.
Optimism grows. because every true
optimist makes It his individual duty to
tell every one he comes In contact with
the a5x-ap+agar 80 Ii,.tro, ~, A. -..-..
side Of life. Since the call for "voIun-
teers.' November. 1905 we have made 1t
q speciality to solicit members. and feel
gratihed al results. reading many con-
tributions weekly. also sending pages TO
friends far away. having them read the
healthy and wholesome suggestions II
they do not send contributions. Not
envying fellow-optimist a prize. Happy
to see some one else win. This is why
optimism grows. LAURA Y. ALLEN.
Arlington. Va.
Optimism grows because 1t IS a cure,
and there is demand for It. II is specific
for mental miasma-chills arising from
lack OF moral courage, or the bite of
that little mosquito, conscience. Our
Nanny down South plants sunhowers.
until her cabin peeps from a halo Of them.
She wifi tell you, Honey, sunfiowers
keeps off de chills" ignoring the ques-
ton Of mind over matter" the answer
has a lesson. When we have Chilly
feelings '-questionings-le plant faith,
love, and work. These are real sun"
flowers. the seed bringing forth hopeful
hearts, helpful hands. and cheerful faces.
SO here is to the sunf1ower-the brown
eyed lover of sunshine. and symbol Of
optimism. Let US learn It's lessons OF
fidelity and helpfulness. and pass them
on-watch them. They are so easy to
grow, so bright and loyal, and above