Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1919-07-31
"Stopi Look! Lisen!"

"What in the world is that" in
quired Beatrice, stopping in the door
way of the library and pointing ;
dainty forefinger at little signboarc
that, in somewhat shaky letters, re-
quested the passer-by to "Stop, LooS
and Listen"
"That?" said her mother, looking
up placidly from the bit of sewing ir
her hands. "Oh, that is a little
memento of Bobby and Peggy and
their games this morning. They were
playing railroad, and one of the cross
ings happened to be by that freside
chair"
"Well, really they ought to be taught
to put away their things when they
finish playing. What if anyone came
in Well, suppose II have to put II
away myself"
Beatrice moved pettishly across the
floor, but Mrs. Marston held up pro-
hibitive hand. "No, my dear she
said, "that won't be necessary. | don't
mind having it left here for little
while"
Beatrice stared. leave it, mother
Why, what for?"
ooh, just to have one or two persons
look at it," Mrs. Marston had re-
sumed her placid sewing. perhaps
you can guess who, Beatrice"
Beatrice's lips puckered in a little
round 90" of understanding. "Why,
yes. Tom, of course. Indeed, | wish
he would stop, look and listen before
he plunges in here. Why, just yester-
day, when was serving tea to Tessie
Walmsley, in rushed Tom like great
collie dog, throwing muddy snow and
books and hockey sticks right and left;
and he mortified me nearly to death"
"You don't think of anybody else ?"
"We-ell, don't know. Of course,
Bob and Peggy. If they would live up
to that a little more, they wouldn't
be always tumbling round and getting
hurt the way they do"
Mrs. Marston finished her seam and
began to fold a hem. Anyone else ?"
she inquired with the same calm man
ner.
This time Beatrice giggled. "Well,
really, since you press me, mother"
she said "If we could have it in the
dining room where father could see it
before he starts on one of his inter-
minable stories when we have
guests"
She stopped abruptly at the look in
her mothers eyes. "Well, really,
mother" she said in halfway apollo
getic tone, "you asked me if there was
anyone elSe-and father was all |
could think Of"
at didn't occur to you, did it, dear,
to stop for a minute and look at
yourself? Well, then, must do it for
YOU. The fault that this little sign
called at once to my mind is one of
yours, Beatrice. You pride yourself
upon your manners, my dear, and you
have reason-they are very pretty, in
most ways. But wonder if you
realize how very difficult it is for an
older member of your family to hold
your attention. oh, yes, motherp you
say quickly when | ask you to do an
errand; and away you fly before |
know whether you understand what !
want or not-and many times you do
not.
"Or, yes, father, I'm listening you
say, without even looking up from your
book-and then you give queer, wan
dering answer that shows you haven't
listened at all.
"And when your grandmother calls
you to her door you never have time
to 90 in and set down in the leisurely
way that old people love. It's always:
ooh, good morning, grandma!
hope you feel better. Did you want
anything special? Mary is waiting
downstairs
"You are gone before poor grandma
has even had time to catch her breath.
One of the first laws of courtesy, my
dear, is to behave as if your time were,
for the moment at least, at the full dis
posal of the person who asks for it
particularly if she is older than you.
That was the message hoped the title
sign might bring you:
"STOP-quietly and absolutely un-
til you know what is wanted Of you.
"LOOK-straight at the person who
is talking to you and give your full at
tention.
"LISTEN-quietly and courteously
until you know just what he wants and
then answer intelligently."
Beatrice ran across the room and
dropped penitently by her mothers
chair. "But most of ALL" she said,
"Stop, Beatrice, and Look at your own
faults before you make anybody else
Listen to your criticisms Of other peo-
ple."
Tho Enr, of Ecnnnnnizin