Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-05
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

content Of It as the constant repetition
| of it which causes the trouble. 1t
resembles the drip, drip, drip of spigot,
flnally getting on the nerves Of the
sensitive. The man who can lie down
and go to sleep in boiler factory would
never hear leaky spigot, and similarly
he perhaps would not mind a friend
who was forever reprimanding him for
some imaginary wrong.
The sensitive man or woman, however,
who is the theme of this article Is not
the sort who can go to sleep under
noisy circumstances. Similarly he does
not welcome the constant drip, drip,
drip of an eternal chatter about his
wrongs mtsdeeds and shortcomings. He
knows the faults of himself better than
any one else can, and is his own most
merciless critic.
Now Just what is there about this
person which seems to drive some
friends to constant efforts to stir him
up to make himself bigger and better
IN every way every day?
Surely the cause is twofold: A real
lzatlon OF latent power, as yet untapped,
and too kindly attitude on the part
OF this reservoir of power.
1t may be said In all Justice to all
parties that seldom do you find one of
these everyday victims without dis
covering a man or woman, or even a
child. in whom other people believe
they ind hidden sources of strength
as yet unused
There was in this city several years
ago a talented young woman who was
| driven 10 take her own life, some Of her
friends felt, because of the constant
| naggings of other of her friends, who
professed to see in her great talents as
yet unutilized.
She left papers In which was stated
the belief that friends had always ex-
| pected more of her than she could ac-
complish and this had preyed upon her
| mind
This was an extreme case, no doubt,
but typical enough in a way.
x*
The great majority Of human beings
without any special talent are accepted
for what they are. Little do they sus-
pect how fortunate they are In that
simple acceptance.
They are saved the sorrows Of the
man or woman in whom others see
genius as yet unmanifested toward the
world.
Unhappily, that genius NAV not be
there, after all. Or. being there. it NAV
never come to the surface. Life, nc
doubt, Is more in the grip of chance
than most people are willing to admit,
and the fortunate combination. lust the
right key to the lock, unfortunately
does not exist in every case.
Nor are the persons who attempt to
smash the lock with the sheer hammer
of logic and complaint taking the right
course. In most instances they are do
ing the one thing which will prevent
| the victim from finding his own KEY
/ and unlocking his own treasure house.
y
All such persons. 1t may be said
without reserve are of mild dispositions
1 This does net mean. of course, that all
persons of mild natures are geniuses.
The person who Is the constant butt
OF criticism from his friends will be
found TO be one who should. If he could
turn rougher shell to the world.
He would profit If he adopted, early
in life. harsh exterior and thus keen
of the nagging Of those who are trying
to help him, but Who alas. are adopt
ing the perfectly wrong course!
We knew one splendid gentleman
who. much to his benefit. adopted ex-
actly this course. His voice was rough
and harsh and his manner intimidat-
ing: but those who knew him best knew
it was only necessary bluff on his part.
His bark was much worse than his
bite. From his standpoint, however.
it was excellent. 1t worked!