Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-13
THIS AND THAT


Anklins. One can have q rather deep
suspicion that II Franklin were alive
today he would be smoothly selling the
rest Of Us something for which we had
n real need, but which we would sud-
denly be pining for after we had listened
to the big man in the neat sack suit
and blue and white foulard tie.
He would not come ct US stormingiy,
advising us to junk instantly the model
which we purchased few months ago
simply because 1t was 2 months old
and to buy another solely because 1t
was 2 months younger.
No, Franklin would be true to him.
self, even II he were trying to sell
vacuum sweepers. With a sweep OF his
wide brimmed hat Eve cannot imagine
him in q derby he would say, gently:
II apprehend that you might like a
S.r %oe s s Gesn oos Ike s'
It Is o great tribute to our firm. Thank
you'll
1T appears to me, however, that you
might like this new one equally well. ]
should think you would, because 1t Is
bigger and better.
Il imagine you can well afford IT.
Just for the fun Of the thing. 1t Is so
IL I am not mistaken, eh?"
So Franklin would do what the man
other evening, Just as we were sitting
d. wn to dinner. Perhaps the dinner
had something to do with our cruel
obstinacy, perhaps the state OF our
pocketbook, but most Of all, we feel
sure, he failed to sell us because ne
gave such an air Of positiveness to MS
opinion.
Certainly the household needed a new
sweeper. Undoubtedly it did. His posi-
tive and dogmatic manner provoked our
contradiction to boiling point, ano
prevented our most candid attention;
we had a candid desire to kick MIN on
the front steps, but refrained because
he was 30 much larger than we are.
NC lest, sensible, not loving disputation
We closed the door firmly in his race
and left him undisturbed In the pos
session Of his error.
X X \
Why, indeed, should any one use
words that give "the air OF positiveness
to an opinion" in world where an
opinion is only so much articulate
experience which, after all, may De
neither inclusive nor exhaustive, and
either of which may be and often u
nisinterpreted?
The only answer to this is that belief,
while undoubtedly offering dangers, Is
a charming thing In contrast to rocks
and trees and other animate and IN
animate things which have no thoughts.
Belief makes for positiveness. "A
world of soft speakers o Ia Franklin
would lose much Of that sturdy manli-
ness which has ever stung lethargy into
action.
To believe in anything is to feel that
one knows, and knowledge Is dogmatic,
or tends in that direction. Conviction
makes for positiveness. One only has
to listen to men discussing base ball
players to know this. Every speaker Is
positive enough In his opinions as to
the relative merits of the favorttes.
It must never be forgotten that some
men have contentious voices, while
others possess what may be called dog
matte appearances. Such win have to
exercise peculiar caution to prevent
others from being irked by their con-
versation. An irritable tone Of voice,
residing In the mildest Of men, may
disgust as much rs the widest rantings
Of some insufferable person who posi-
lively knows 1t all. If one aims to in
form or be informed, to please or per-
suade, he must give some heed to the
wise admonitions Of Benjamin Franklin.