The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-05-26
r- $i.(Oa year, in advance
tEhMS' Six Months, so cents.
Curiosity and
lnquisitiveness
The Great human Family are Al
ways Curious and lnquisitive
In all Matters.

Here is characteristic which all
human beings possess. Some are more
inquisitive and curious than others,
but all of us are by nature inquisi-
tive, too much SO, sometimes, especi-
ally when it is something that doesn't
concern us. Even animals and fish
are inquisitiye. Drop shining
article into a bowl Of water contain
ing goldfish and you'll notice each
one will examine it. OF quadrupeds,
| think dogs take the cake for inquis-
itiveness. Where will dog not
stick his nose?
With mankind, who is there who
can truly say, l am not inquisitive."
Gentle reader, you yourself are just
as inquisitive as any one else. A false
accusation? Well, shall prove it?
Just read this:
You say, I'm not inquisitive
And on that you may depend!
Then, gentle reader why is it
punoI. s!ql uInl o. "a nO6 9BqL
ipue eql o. peeI o.
Yes, we are all inquisitive and it
is good thing to be inquisitive SO
long as you mind your own business.
This disposition to inquire is what
will help you to better understand
yourself and the world. The man
W b o wants to know the why's
about his work, the reason for doing
this or that, will master b is trade
quickly and progress more than the
man who performs his work mechan-
ically and with no particular interest.
Inquisitiveness is conspicuous in
theatre. Have you noticed in full
house, the array of opera glasses
scanning the audience? am always
reminded of sea captains when see
an array of these glasses at theatres.
If you asked these people why they
search the audience, they would prob
ably tell III they are looking for
friends, but would hardly ever own
up to being inquisitive, nor, if lady
addressed, > that she is searching for
the latest style of hat or dress. This
kind of inquisitiveness is perhaps the
commonest, that is, silent inquisitive-
ness. When l said it is a good thing
to be inquisitive | meant, to be eager
to learn, to be solicitous, to be cor
rect.
Another kind of inquisitiveness,
and that which is provoking, is ex-
cessive questioning. This, we men
experience in barber shop. It goes
like this: Barber shaving customer:
Nice day, sir. Do you think it
will rain tomorrow if it doesn't keep
dry? Married man, sir? Live in
town, sir? Have you been to see
Jack of Spades at the Garold House?"
Keep an automibile, sir? and so on
he jabbers.
Young children are most inquisi-
tive and many lines might be written
recording their queer queries. An
enterprising London merchant want
ed to place a certain article for sale,
one which required a good deal of
advertising. He struck on this idea
of advertising: At each end of Lon
don Bridge where it is estimated at
least two million people pass over
every day, he stationed man dress
ed in white, tall white hat and long
overcoat. ALI over the front Of his
clothesand hat were warnings in large
red and black letters, telling and for
bidding people to look at his back.
What was the result? Simply this,
every man, woman and child who
could read, found some excuse to
turn around and pass behind this man
just to see what was printed on his
back. I'll confess / was one who
went behind to see for curiosity, that
is inquisitiveness, what was on his
back. These two men had nothing
to do, but stand there and smoke SO
many hours day and were paid at
the rate of $500 day.
We might give a hundred more
illustrations o f inquisitiveness but
those already given willsufice to show
us that we are an inquisitive and Gu
rious people.
PsHAw.