The Washington herald., 1913-06-18
NO USE MOURNING
OVER PAST SORROW
Woman Who Meets Life Cheerily
Gives Courage to Others to
Meet Their Troubles.
BY FRANCES sHAFFER.

One is almost excused il she har-
bors lust a bit of envy of a woman so
sunny and optimistic that she sends folk
away from her presence feeling as II
they had been given the grace OF a
tonic.
And she does it, not because there
is so much joy ana brightness that come
her way as because for years 1t has been
her determination to make the most and
the very best of life as it goes along.
Just a day or so ago 1t happened that
a passing acquaintance went to call upon
her and she went with a sort of COM
planning spirit in her heart, a feeling
that the world was not treating her
very well and life was not really worth
while.
But the hostess talked a little while
in her bright, hopeful way, not pro-
testing courage and not limiting of cheer.
but somehow sending them out as part
of herself; and as the moments drifted
by and the call drew to a close, the
woman went home to think it over and
think il out.
Balance on Her Side.
And the first thing she did was to con-
fess her shame and TO ask herself why
the strange difference. For when it
came to a matter of benefits received
and of things to be really happy over,
at peace with herself and the world.
there she was, with every reason for
song in her heart. every reason for be-
ing more cheerful and contented than
the other. Yet she had felt weighed
down with troubles. bitterly ready to
complain and convinced that more had
been put upon her than she ought to be
asked to bear.
And the other? II they must exchange
places and she must give up all her
advantages in life for the sorry lot OF
the other-why, she just couldn't, that
was all For the balance of everything
that looked desirable was all on her side.
But she probed bit deeper, and what
did she find?
In her own life the things to grieve
about had happened long. long ago; every
thing dark had cleared away, and ii was
only the worries of many yesterdays that
had ept her in their grip. Sorrows had
come. as they come tc all. and there had
been long periods when troubles settled
thickly enough, but the keen edge had
been gone for many years. and the way
ahead looked Clea- and bright. She was
just making herself discortented. un-
happy. and out of tune with life by old,
dead happenings that could not possibly
be changed by so much as a single
thought. And if it was possible for the
other woman to take the hardships as
the came and be hopeful through them
all why should she remain a coward all
her life. moaning and sorrowing over the
past? For there was much to live for,
much for which TO render thanks, much
to make her happy, If she just had the
grace to see IL.
AnG that one woman, with her cheer
and her determination to create sunshine-
opened her eyes.
Has Right to Feel Proud.
And if that one woman knows il, she
must feel very big and proud and i'm
pOrtant. At least. that is her right. Be-
cause this can grow to be a very tired
world at times and in places, and it is
a beautiful art to set it Alright, in even
the tiniest spot of all.
Most of us feel that we have about all
We can do il We manage TO get above
our own Sighs and fears. and if We can
drown our worries and preserve a sem
blance Of cheeriness there is not so much
TO spare for others. And that is why
it is fine I thing to be able to say
of a woman that it is an inspiration just
10 talk with T, to learn the way she
takes her problems, to be helped out of
a mt of despo. ..dency and then TO go home
convinced that it is the better way, the
only way, and that We will do our very
best to make il our own.
And. who wouldn't be glad and proud
TO have that tribute come her way?