The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-03-01
HUMAN FRALTY
Disposition Radically Noble and Generous, COuded and
Overshadowed by Superficial Foibes.-Ds Qu;ncsy
force as it rolls through babble
By Mr.. C. II. s.

IOrce as IL rOUS CnrOugn DaODle-
town-it soon assumes the dignity
of a problem-is solved by the rule
of double position, and the result
increased by geometrical progress
sion and Formulation of quantities;
and before truth can put her shoes
on, stain, deep and damning, has
been stamped on the fair fame
of an innocent victim, by an un-
known hand. To trace calumny
back to the small fountain of petty
scandal is often impossible, and
always more difficult than to find
the source of the Mississippi.
Insects and reptiles there are
which fulfill the ends of their ex-
istence by tormenting us; so some
minds and dispositions accomplish
their destiny by increasing our
misery. and making US more dis
contented and unhappy. Cruel
and false is he who builds his pleas
ure upon my pain, or his glory up
on my shame"
Say nothing to inflict wound
on another's reputation. He may
be wrong and wicked, yet your
knowledge of it does not oblige
you to disclose his character, ex-
cept to save others from injury.
Then do it in way that bespeaks
kindness for the offender. Be not
hasty to credit evil reports. They
are the result of misunderstand-
ing, or of evil design, or they pro-
ceed from an exaggerated or par
tial disclosure of facts. Wait and
learn the whole story before you
decide; then believe just what evil
dence compels you to and no more.
We are nearer the truth in think
ing we'll of persons than i'll. HUI
man nature is tree bearing good
as we'll as evil, but our eyes are
wide open to the latter and half
closed to the former. Believe but
half the ill and credit twice the
good said of your neighbor.
There is a natural inclination in
almost all persons-a kind of in
human pleasure to pelt others with
stones. Often our right hands ache
to throw them. There is such
wicked enjoyment in seeing them
dodge and finch and run. This is
human nature in the rough. There
are multitudes of respectable peo-
pie who evince exquisite pleasure
in making others smart. There is
a good deal of the Indian-the un-
civilized man, in US all yet. 1t
has not been wholly eliminated or
educated out of us by the boasted
enlightment and civilization of the
age.
Many very excellent persons,
whose characters are noble, pass
numberless hours of sadness and
weariness of heart. The fault is
not with their circumstances, nor
yet with their general characters,
but with themselves that they are
miserable. They have failed to
adopt the true philosophy of life.
They wait for happiness to come
instead of going to work and MAX
ing it; and while they wait they
torment themselves with borrowed
troubles, with fears. forebodings,
morbid fancies and moody spirits,
till they are all untitled for happi-
ness under any circumstances.
Sometimes they cherish unchaste
ambition, cOvet some fancied or
real good which they do not de-
serve and could not enjoy if it were
theirs; honors they have not won,
attentions they have not merited,
love which their selfshness only
Graves. Sometimes they under
value the good which they do pos
sess; throw away the pearls in
hand for some beyond their reach,
and often less valuable; they forget
present duties for joys in future
and far-off visions. Sometimes
sthey shade the present with every