Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-31
THE CHAFFING DISH

look back on the first time we saw our
friends we find that generally our original
impression was curiously astray. We have
worked along beside them, have consorted
with them drunk or sober. have grown to
cherish their delicious absurdities, have
outrageously imposed on each others pa
tience-and suddenly we awoke to realize
what had happened. We had without know
ing it. gained new friend In some curious
way the unseen border line had been passed.
We had reached the final elimination of
Anglo Saxon regard when two men rarely
look each other straight in the eyes because
they are ashamed to show e.ch other how
fond they are. We had reached the fine
Hover and the ultimate test of comradeship-
that is. when you get letter from one of
your best friends" you know you don't
need to answer it until you get ready to.
EMERSON is right in saying that friend
- ship can't be hurried. 1. takes time to
ripen. 1t needs background of humorous,
wearisome Or even tragic events shared to-
gether, a cert,. 7 tract of memories shared in
common, so that you know that your own
life and your companions have really moved
for some time in the same channel. 1t needs
interchange of books, meals together. dis
cussion of one apother's whims with mutual
set in rich haze of half remembered occa-
sions, sudden glimpses. ludicrous pranks,
unsuspected observations, midnight conf
dences when heart spoke to candid heart.
THE soul breaches humility to itself when
it realizes. startled, that it has won
new friend Knowing what posset o. con
tradictions we all are, it feels q symptom of
shame at the thought that our friend knows
all our frailties and yet thinks us worth af-
fectiOn. We all have cause to be shamefast
indeed; for whereas we love ourselves in
spite of our faults. our friends Vfttn love us
even on account of our faults, the highest
level to which attachment can go. I'D what
an infinite appeal there is in their faces
How we grow to cherish those curious little
fleshy cages-so oddly sculptured-which in
close the spirit within. To see those faces
bent unconsciously over their tasks - each
different each unique each so richly and
queerly expressive of the lively and perversc
enigma of man. is full education in human
tolerance. Privately, one studies his own i'll
modelled visnomy to see if by aEy chance it
bespeaks the emotions he inwardly feels. We
know-as Hamlet did-the vicious mole of
nature in us, the o'ergrowth of some com
plexion that mars the purity of our secret
resolutions Yet--our friends have passed it
over have shown their Willingness TO take US
as we are. Can we do less than hope to de-
serve their generous tenderness, granted be
fore it was earned?
TNTIE problem of education. said II. l.. s.,
L is twofold - first to know, then to
utter" Every man knows what friendship
means. but few can utter that complete
frankness of communion based upon full
comprehension of mutual weakness, enlivened
by happy understanding of honorable in
tentions generously shared. When we first
met our friends we met with bandaged eyes.
We did not know what journeys they had
been on. what winding roads their spirits
had travelled what ingenious shifts they had
devised to circumyent the walls and barriers
of the world. We know these now. for some
of them they have told us; others we have
guessed We have watched them when they
little dreamed it; just as they 1--WE suppose)
have done with us, Every gesture and
method of their daily movement have become
part of our enjoyment of life. Not until a
time comes for saying good by will we ever
know how much we would like to have said
At those times one has to fall back on
shrewder tongues. You remember Hilaire
BellOc:
From quiet homes and first beginning
Out TO the undiscovered ends,
There's nothing worth tho wear Of winning
But laughter, and the love of friends
SOCRATES.