The Washington herald., 1912-09-18
Topics Of Interest to Every Woman
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Storyof "Shut-i1'' Woman
Teaches a Splendid Lesson
BY FRANCES sHArFEB.

shut up for seventy-eight years, but
happy
That is the heading of a little news
paper item that comes from Hacketts-
town, N. ]. The woman who offers
that wonderful combination has just
celebrated her eighty-ninth birthday, un-
able TO walk a step from the time she
was eleven years old. when an injury
to her spine disabled her body. but
not her spirit. And in spite of the fact
that for over three-quarters of q CEN
tury she has been ..shut-in," she has
lived in the sunshine of her own happy
disposition and has managed to dispense
a goodly portion to others.
During all these years she has spent
much of her time sewing and knitting
things for missionary workers in for
eign fields, and life, to her. has been
very sweet. 1t is one Of the cases-not
because of. but in spite Of.
After all, shut away from life as 1t
runs on the outside and missing much
that we reckon as essential to happi-
ness. she seems to have learned few
secrets and to have been granted a few
gifts that many. seemingly more favor
| ed by fortune. would give a little world
TO possess.
At Head of Line.
There are invalids. semi-invalids. and
folk in the full tide of perfect health
who think they are not contributing
much to the happiness of others when
| they cannot lend a hand to the big
things that are done. But I verify be-
lieve that the brave. cherry men and
women who smile at misfortune and
help others to smile with them stand up
well at the head Of the long line where
kindly, fruitful deeds are recorded.
And 1t sometimes seems that the shut
ms" who seem most to need the help
and cheer they give away are the very
first to open their hearts and their
Nurses to others who sit in the shadows.
1t may be that the deeper sympathy and
understanding are born OF their own de-
privations. ] do not know: but / do
know that awhile ago an invalid of long
standing, by her own responsive SYM
pathies and ready proffer of help. served
as gracious example to some whose
opportunities are vastly greater. She.
too. was afflicted with spinal trouble,
and had nothing to offer that bore the
tag of money, but when she heard of a
young woman whose infirmity was bit
more pronounced than her own. who
needed some one to show her the way
out of helplessness and stagnatfng lone
illness, she was the first-the only one
to come forward with a tender OF help.
She offered to guide the young woman's
unframed fingers to the learning of a
simple occupation that might stimulate
interest, at the same time helping her
TO earn a bit of money. Many, many
others knew Of that young woman's
need, but just the one responded. Yet
she does not appreciate what a mighty
lesson she gave to all who were disposed
to read 1t.
Splendid influence.
And IL the woman in that little New
Jersey town had sat with folded hands.
not doing another thing but remaining
sunny and bright, her life and its in
fiuence would still be something to reck-
on with.
For there are so many rainy days and
stormy experiences at every turn that
many folk forget TO smile. and they
need the inspiration OF some one who re-
mains CHEEKY and happy throughout a
lifetime cut off from normal pleasures
and experiences, never knowing the real
meaning of health and the joy of NOV
ing about at will.
It is strange how it runs
Some who seem to have everything
that should make for cheeriness and hap
Ply days grow querulous and hard TO
please.
And others who apparently have moth
ing for which to raise their hearts and
voices in song are the very sunniest
and brightest of all.
Her Life Not in Vain.
But when it is possible TO say of q
woman that she has been shut in for IS
years, all that time radiating sunshine
for herself and others-well. her life
has not been in vain. For IL there is as
much in the power of example as We
believe there is, many a man and woman
have taken to heart the wonderful les
son that has come from ,nat long life
sermon on cheeriness-not because Of.
but in spite of.