The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-03-04
CHEERFULNEss VERSUS GLOOM.

The cheerful man Is a jewel among
his associates and cannot help but
suggest contentment wherever he APP
pears, in marked contrast to the fell
low who is gloomy, or, as the express
sion now goes-"thc man with d
crouch"
Nowhere is this more noticeable
than in and about shops or manufac-
tories where large numbers of men
are engaged whose daily life and com
fort depend a good deal upon their
surroundings. 1t is, therefore, of the
utmost Importance that commodious
quarters, together with plenty Of light
and air be provided. This will aid in
a large degree, toward creating cheer
ful dispositions. In the past, much
less regard than at present has been
paid to shop comforts. Today, how
ever, the railroad companies when
they put up new shop buildings or
add to the old ones, are in the habit
of devoting especial attention te these
needs, and it is most excellent iudg-
ment to do this. Without such consid-
Grafton work is apt to become a drudg-
cry and no man can be expected to
do his best who is obliged to toll
where proper facilities and ordinary
comforts are lacking.
1t is not surprising that we now
and then run across "a man with
crouch" Yet we will find men who
wear pleasant countenance and eX-
erCise cheerful dispositions, even I'M
der the most trying circumstances and
who are always ready and willing to
perform their allotted task, no matter
what their surroundings may be- Such
men are cheerful by nature as a rule,
but they can instill the same DISPOSE
ton in others not so born, and often
do. 1t is possible, therefore, for most
of us to cultivate the habit Of cheer
fulness if we be so willed
Fortunately there is no such word
rs Crouch in the English dictionary
1t has been coined, and quite properly,
to express a state Of mind which was
paramount in one of Napoleon Bona
parties generals, named GrOuchy,
whose conduct at the famous battle of
Waterloo was largely responsible for
Napoleon's defeat. His was a case
of discomfort bolstered up by Il con-
sequent ineftiCiency In other words,
he had what We i'll these days, call a
crouch for reasons which have never
been fully explained. At any rate as
a subordinate to Napoleon, he became
in some way disconnected and neg.
1ected his duty at a critical moment.
Since the battle Of Waterloo-fought
more than a century ago, the fault
finding, discontinued fellow is known
as "Grouchy." The stigma, though Sc
we're, is well applied. The gloomy in
diyidual, who sees no sunshine, bright
though it may be, who finds fault with
his tools and his surroundings though
they be ever 50 excellent and thereby
creates discomfort among his fellow
workmen, is the Grouchy of Napo-
Icons time. He is the man who
brings defeat and disorder and we re-
greet to say that here, there and every
where, today, Grouchys are in evil
dence and often times without good
reason.
Now that there are fewer reasons
than ever for abandoning a cheerful
disposition to become a Grouchy. it is
wise idea to acquire the habit of
being pleasant and willing. There will
be more likelihood of a victory than
crushing defeat. AS a result, the
cmploye will do better work and both
lie and his employer will profit by it
in general. Promotion is more easily
within reach, while the gloom which
envelops the grouchy man is like a
fog which deceiyes the vision and
means serious dangers ahead, until it
IS dispelled.
This lifting of gloom and substitute
ing for it cheerfulness is a slight task
which is bound to repay one a thou
sand fold. The tendency of the times
is toward a season. Of unparalleled
prosperity. We can materially aid
humanity in general to reach this goal
by being cheerful in spite of condi-
tQns and annoyances which some
times suggest gloom or a crouch"
The man with u crouch" is assuredly
not in the way of doing his best.
When one fails to do his best he is
liable to be classed as incompetent
and, so listed, contributes to failure
instead of a success.
The disconnected man who carries
his crouch to the point of abusing the
company which employs him, not only
shows disloyal spirit but may spread
a feeling of disloyalty throughout the
shop where he works. He should
never forget. that loyalty to his COM
pany and his cause is the foundation
upon which the successful operations
Of all the departments is based.
Z, -RGfIDaD Engineering.
a., ri
OPPORTUNITY.