The Homo.

Lake County Press, Issue 904, 29 March 1900, Page 7

The Homo.

Two Sides to a Question.

** Things are not what they seem,” and “ there are two sides to a question,” say we, but, for all that, half the worries and bothers and little quarrels with which we afflict ourselves arise from our not acting up to our belief. It is astonishing how we sometimes trouble ounselves about our neighb mrs’ affairs, and our neighbours’ characters, when we need not he In the least anxious if wo only could believe that we could only see one aspect of affairs, and therefore wore not in a position ro judge fairly. Most people take a pessimistic view of things, and therefore, in judging of their neighbour's conduct, they probably err in thinking the worst of It.

I remeinlber on a special occasion an incident which well illustrates my meaning. 1 was at a tea-fight, where a party of ladies had met to consult as to what could be done to relieve a widow and children who had lost their little all in a groat bank failure. The children were unable to earn anything, being too young, and the mother's time was taken up in looking after them, so it was decided that the only thing to do was to make her a present of a sum of money, to be raised hy means of a bazaar. Then began the discussion a® to who would help, and some one suggested kind old Miss Brown would be willing. “ You don’t know Miss Brown, that’® quite clear,” then said Miss Jones. “I grant you sdie is pleasant enough to talk to, and that she might help if she liked, but any one more close-fisted than she is in the matter of money it would be hard to find.” Yes, I thought, that is the truth according to Miss Jones ; but, then, she only sees one side. 1 have known Miss Brown many years, and I see another, but it is one I have no right to speak of publicly. The fact is that Miss Brown is making a good income as a novelist, and that she lives a life of great self-denial and simplicity in order to pay off the debts of her poor old father, who died bankrupt and dishonoured from trusting too implicitly the faith of a relative with whom he was in business.

It its always the same, though ; people will judge by what they see. Look at the awkward, shy girl, who in society is often supposed to be so proud and "disagreeable—if you take the trouble to talk to her, don't you often find her bright and clever, and grateful to you for your notice ? 'Have you not often boon dull and quiet in society 7 yourself, and would you not think it unkind if people were to therefore accuse you of ill-temper or pride ? Of course you would, for you know that the reason you were not bright and gay was that you wore secretly suffering keen anxiety or perhaps bodily pain. You did not wish to sadden others with your cares, and therefore kept silent about them : but still you could not appear quite as usual.

Knowing, as you must do, that in your own life and character there is something which is capable of being inisconstrueted and causing offence to. others, can you not think it may be the same with your neighbours ? —"Home Notes.”