A CHEERING THOUGHT.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 22, 19 March 1918, Page 2

A CHEERING THOUGHT.

Philosophy in the face of loss is not uncommon ; but. Daniel Cummins had it uncommonly strong. Daniel lived on a little farm in the Ozarks. By direct route it was six miles to the country town. But long, long ago an impassable gully had been washed across the road. To go round was three miles out of the way but Daniel always went round.

One day a perniciously active and efficient stranger happened to be visiting in the neighbourhood, and observed Daniel’s long drive out of the way.

“See here,’’ said tbe stranger, “how long have y.ou been going that way to town ?” Daniel considered a moment, trying to recall the year of the big freshet. “Twenty years come next March,’’ he said.

The efficient stranger figured a moment on the back of an envelope.

“I suppose you go to town on an average twice a week ?” “Sometimes oftener, and sometimes not quite so often,’’ replied Daniel. “Well, say you lose at least two hours every week, 2|)5 hours* a year--4160 hours in twenty years. One man and a team cor Id have repaired that gully across the direct road in, say, ten hours. So you see you have lost 4150 hours’ time by not repairing your road.v

Daniel rubbed his left ear,a minute, and wrinkled his forehead regretfully at the thought of all those lost hours, then hie face cleared contentedly.

“I guess that’s so,” he said ; “but I reckon I ain’t any older than I’d have been if I hadn’t lost them.”