Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1915-03-13 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THOSE LEFT BEHIND.  Now that nearly everybody has relatives belonging to them at the front—brothers, fathers, uncles, or sweethearts—it would be nice if those left at home would do their little hit, too. Motheie and girls are not needed in the firing line; but what a great deal they could do by helping to make each other's lot brighter and happier, not onl'y in their own family circle, but in the workshop, office, school, and even in the street. Many a girl is carrying an aching heart day by day through the war. Some loved one ht-,longing to her is in some part of France. She does not know what his fate will be. A °beery word spoken when one meets her, instead of passing by with a nod said Gksyci-day,'' would lessen the depressing thoughts she may have, and brighten her inner self. so that she will be more inclined to look on the brighter side of things in general. Help each other in the mill. shop. and office by little thoughtful, kindly actions. Stop that petty way of being jealous of each other's dress. If your fellow-worked. looks nice tell her so. and see what a difference it will make in her face. The best of us like a pat on the back. as it were. to encourage us on  our way. Many homes are irretrievably rained by want of consideration for each other in the home ()utside, when many girls are met, either at parties, entertainments, or in town, they are the very essence of good nature and kindly teehng, vet these very same creatures at home are veritable viragoes---bad-tempered, ungrateful, fault-finding, and disagreeable in many ways het each one look to 'herself and say. Am I making the best of life .by being as perfect as I can myself and helping others to he like wise?" Life is short. We are like the daffodils. Robert Herrick. in one of his po-eins, likens them to us by saying of them, •• We have as short a time to stay as you; we have as short a spring." It is in after years, when homes are broken. that one wishes they had been kinder to each other, but it is very often too late then to be remedied. I know a hard-working teacher, who has It trying class of children from three to five years old, who rarely vomes: home and finds a tidy borne; yet she herself is a most tidy person and bas a pride in the home. But those in charge— ber sisters and mother—do not seem to realise what_a difference a nice bright home makes to one when jaded and tired out with much physical and mental effort. Why! the very thought of knowing you are going home to a nice. cheery, oomfortable room bucks you up, and you walk towards your home with quite a sprightly step. Much unhappiness is caused in families by want of thought. See that you have every cornfort possible tor those who have to toil outside all day. See that their food is daintily cooked and served ; don't begin to complain or tell your ailments when the breadwinners come in. Consider them whilst you have them amongst yot. Don't be too proud to give in to each other sometimes. Encourage and always have a helping hand ready for everyone, and, believe me, eueh things as suicides and murders would be rarely heard of; for, if each one sympathised, helped, and encouraged on our pathway of life we wmild be keeping the minds of those around us more tranquil; and in this way we would be doing our bit—for healthy minds are for our nation's good.—E. De'eLle Quails