Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-26

Here the person who puts the wrong
Interpretation on things fairly shines,
because there is nothing in black and
white which may be shown afterward.
Then 1t becomes question OF his
word against yours, with the devil
taking the hindmost.
The malicious form of this person is
what the French term the agent
provocateur. The Romans had SIM
liar gentleman whose duty was to pro-
woke some one into saying a single
word against Caesar. Often the agent
was a soldier, who, in conversation
with his fellow soldiers or with the
residents Of a conquered town, would
let fall few remarks intended to egg
on the others to invective against the
conqueror.
There is probably no group which
does not have at least one who insists
on creating misunderstanding at any
cost. No doubt he has in the back of
his head the idea that by revealing
the inimical sentiments Of fellow
he will create good will for himself.
often he fails lamentably, because
those In authority do not so easily
fall for this sort of thing as these
misguided snoops fancy.
The only sure remedy against this
person is to have as little 10 do with
him as possible, and then with fear
and trembling, lest what must be said
is twisted into something entirely OPP
posite.
The desire for fun, however, is az
the base of this evil, in most Of the
cases run into In ordinary life. Did
you ever stop to think how few actuai
villains one ordinarily meets?
Some folks are so bubbling over with
good humor--at some one elSe's eX-
pense-that theya are never satisfied
with what is, buS must make 1t over
nearer 10 their hearts desire. In this
process they run the risk Of absolute
Justification with good heart. Is 1t
not astonishing that the person who
seeks only amusement can be such a
close relation to the provocative agent
bent on i'll? Yet such Is the case. 1t Is
Just as easy to create trouble "in fun
as in deadly earnest Sometimes one is
inclined to think that the patiently evil
person is much to be preferred, since
he may be watched for and guarded
against. He is a foe and may be
treated az such.
The friend who insists on creating
mischief catches one off-guard. as it
were, then soaks straight right to the
jaw, laughing gayly at ones conster-
nation, declaring that 1t is all in fun
and should so be taken. 1t is difficult
to handle such a customer. His many
good points are not forgotten-but why
does he insist on being disagreeable?
If he says that what he does or says Is
not harmful, he is only hiding his head
In the sand and refusing to look at the
truth.
The atmosphere Of many home is
charged with thunder clouds because
some one in the family circle insists on
considering minor statements and is
sues instead of major ones. The same
holds true in hundreds of Offices where
men of all conditions meet without any
real ties to hold them together. The
minor point - the little thing - the
lesser-the bit of foolishneSs which
should be overlooked concentrating
on these and totally ignoring the best,
any one may create trouble, discomfort
and unhappiness. The sad thing is
when a really decent and inherently
kindly man lends himself, in a moment
of misguided fun, to creating Ill feeling.