Evening star., 1936-06-27
Cheap Wit
Misplaced
In Young
Snappy Retorts Invite
Prejudice and
Ill-Feeling.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

A READY tongue is not always the
"A quickest way to achieve place ano
prominence, and it is for those ends
that boys and girls cultivate it. They
want to be considered very bright, very
lively and smart Being smart is one
Of the youthful ambitions that are
bound for trouble and failure.
Not long ago I sat in a meeting OF
teachers and trustees, who had to
decide upon granting certain scholar
ships to certain deserving young people
who coveted them, needed them sorely
One name aft7r another was read ano
those present talked about the quail
fications, the characteristics, the needs
of each young person mentioned. By
end by boys name was read. Nobody
spoke.
The chairman said. Nobody seems
to know this young man.
There was a movement of dissent
but still nobody spoke rs there
anything definite to be said about
him?" asked the chairman so point
edly that q reply of some sort was
imperative.
Yes, I know him well. He has
been in my classes"
And in mine" said several others,
"Oh. yes. I know him well. His
father is a very good friend of mine.
He comes of a good family. I would
like to help him, if could"
"Oh, yes, indeed" politely muir
INJURED the others.
Now Just what is the matter with
this lad?" inquired the chairman.
Lets get it over with. What ails
him?"
He has an unhappy way of saying
smart things that make people want to
rise and smite him"
For instance?" asked the chair
man. bound to give this black sheep
all the chance possible for one of his
sort. What sort of thing did he say
to you, for instance?"
We'll, I'd meet him in the corridor
of the school, maybe on the wrong
stairway, and I might lift my eyebrows
at him, to indicate that he was not
where he belonged In reply he would
smile and say. Seeing things you
don't like, Mr.. Sneed? Too bad. When
In doubt. don't look
ut all sounds piffling when you
mention it, but he makes it his ousi-
ness to rile you whenever he can.
One day Miss White, who is stout and
a bit wheezy, was making her way up
the stairs and she saw him and few
others dawdling along the corridors.
you boys better get along. The bell
will ring in a second said she. This
lad said. Take heart. Miss White.
The race is not always to the swift
The group laughed, Miss White has
hated him ever since. He's just a
smart Alec. Childish. And he has a
good mind. Stands high in classes.
His scholarship would entitle him to
consideration"
The lad had one staunch friend In
that meeting and it took all he could
do to get the consent of the others to
grant the smart boy his needed
scholarship. Il will tell him Just
what happened here, and believe 1t
will teach him something He is an
intelligent boy We cannot afford to
have his ability wasted. Surely this
habit can be cured Let US give him
the chance anyway"
Having the last bright word. speak
ing ones most brilliant thoughts about
others, being the life of the party
has its price. With all your smartness,
boys and girls, cultivate human kind
ness. Even old fat teachers appreciate
It. and you pever can tell what is
going 10 happen in the days that lie
ahead Of you. Eou can be certain,
however, that you will need all the
friends you have.
tCopyright. 1880