Social Moods.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 378, 6 August 1903, Page 2

Social Moods.

IN A SMALL TOWN. .fT&HOTJSANDS of women and young |Uplo girls live in small country towns and villages. ,- £ I want to talk to, oho and all, who are eo situated, t: / j|j _..„. ... Do not let your .minds narrow down to the limitß of your town'; do not let ideas become dwarfed, yon? ; ; ambitions Btunted, your outlook limited." " j There is no need of it in this day and age of low-priced literature and free •libraries/- ■ ■..■>*" U*ais Toucan keep in mental touch with the whole world if you wish to do it. There is no need of limiting your information to the social column of your country paper. Rjad the magazines and weeklies,.and book reviews when you can obtain the books. .:. . Think of yourself as an important factor in the world—not merely of your owe town or parish. Try to be broad and large in.youi: outlook. „_..; The very moment you find yourself dwelling on thoughts of local gossip and petty scandals, turn your back on your lesser self and search for your real self——the noble* great-hearted .being you were destined to be. Bead history and meditate upon the lives of great' men and women; When you are about to pass Mary Jones by without speaking to her because you heard someone had suspected her of questionable conduct, stop and think of Joan of Arc, Mme. Boland, Father:' Daniien, Nathan Hale, or a hundred other colossal figures you can call to mind- They will scare away all petty prejudices and make you ashamed of yourself. Avoid judging humanity; from the standards set up in your town. Be liberal and remember that climate and environment have much to do with people's ideas of their behaviour. Try and cultivate a loving interest in your fellows. It is a strange fact that in small towns so little affection or love exists among the inhabitants. One would think it sure to be found in the quiet country hamlets, where the few people are dependent upon one another for enjoyment. But instead we find jealousy, criticism, and indifference prevailing in such places. I have iived in the little country town, in the small hamlet, and in the crowded cities, and I must confess that it is in the latter I have found greater, and more spontaneous affection and readier sympathy among people, together with broader judgments. In the average country hamlet one needs to be ill or an object of charity to bring out the tenderness in the hearts of one s neighbours. v ■■';'s > • Let it be known that sipknessjor poverty has visited a household and the tongue of gospip has silenced, and the indifferent or disagreeable air gives, place to solicitous kindnesß—while the trouble lasts ! But remembi r everyone cannqt be invalids or beggars. Yet wo all Jove sympathy and companionship, and appreciation Many women in the country love to play Lady Bountiful merely for the gratification of being looked up to. But a greater nature finds pleasure in showing affectionate interests in : an f "equal, on whom it can bestow nothing but friend- . ship. Think every day how large the world is compared to your town, yet do not dispise ycur town in consequence "Bespect it as part of the' great Consolidated Company of Human Beings, and make it as interesting >» place as possible .by your own uiental, moral, and social qualities. Study/- think, .read,-' work, and love. Sympathise with your neighbours' aims, ambitions, ifforta, hopes ana trials. Oheer s them all you can, and never allow a thought of jealousy or envy to enter your mind if someone seems to you to be succeeding better than you are. [,-j ; .. ■ Be so large of soul that you will dignify the town in the mind of any one who knows it iB your place of residence.

.."* Ma,' said Bobby, in a slightly injured tone of voice; 'there were lots of things you let me do before the baby came that ycu don't let me do now.' ' i)o you think so, Bobby P' ' Yes,'asserted Bobby. • Still,' he went on with more philosophy, ' I can't expect you to be so. good a mother with two children as you were when you only had one,'. I .■• ■ "■"■'* Some men, are pleasant to talk to, but disagreeable to listen to. Burglars are willing to enter almost any house—except a station-house^