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Show WHAT COMPANY DO YOU KEEP? It is proper, as a rule, to judge persons by the company they keep. WLy not? The person who is in tho habit of swearing does not feel shocked at the language of those with whom they associate, associ-ate, who even make it a practice to outdo the person per-son in using profane language. A boy or girl will sooner or later become like the associates with whom he or she mingles. Communication Com-munication wirth those who are bad brings about like conditions. ' Therefore, how careful ought we to bo concerning concern-ing the company we keep! The best thing for dull men, women and children to do is to seek the acquaintance ac-quaintance of intelligent, bright companions, from whom they can learn something that will improve their minds. To continue to be nobody is folly. The man or woman who has not been blessed with sufficient schooling can go to school by associating with smart people, who generally make it a practice to tell the best they know and in very concise ways. If you are in the Labit of associating witb a good Catholic, it will not be long before you will find out that you are acquiring mucL information as to the teachings of Holy Mother Church. Such a person will set you thinking, and before you are hardly aware of the fact you will try to become a better Catholic. And it is so as regards financial, political and other questions. Catholic young men and young women should be very careful to go with those who can tell something some-thing worth knowing. Knowledge is power, and power is desirable at all times. It is sad to talk with a young man who by his conversation gives you the impression, that about all he knows is concerning sporting matters. His talk is oftentimes useless. It it is a fact that we have to give an account for every "idle word" we say, some pf us will have to be harshly dealt with. The conversation that pays is that which builds us up mentally and spiritually. spir-itually. Some people have conversational powers that, make them intensely interesting. They talk to interest in-terest and improve those with whom; they come in contact. Pleasant, yet serious; witty, yet profound. Some years ago I got into conversation with a stranger on a Madison avenue street car at Baltimore. Bal-timore. He had the gift of telling what he knew in a way to make a lasting impression. I was so captivated by him that I did not get out at the street where I was going, .but stayed in the car while he remained in it, and then got out and walked back. That gentleman was one of the best private lecturers that I ever listened to. A ready tongue and a listening ear are both good things to possess in most cases the listening ear is the best. Seek acquaintance with good, practical Catholics Cath-olics who are bright and smart. When you have formed such acquaintance be almost "mum" for a while. Drink in what you hear, think it over, and pack it away for future reference. . A smart man can generally size you up and easily ascertain how to tails to you. Most intelligent intelli-gent men do not engage in the unprofitable job of "casting pearls before swine." It is a pleasure to most men to have the honor to give all the instruction instruc-tion they can to those who exhibit the disposition to learn. ' If you give the impression to such men that" you "know it all," they are smart enough to realize whom ' they are "up against," and keep silent. In the days of your youth be a student to those who have gained the knowledge they possess, and when you become old it will not be amiss to follow out the same course. Some old people seem to have the idea that they have learned all there is to be learned; but they make a mistake, for there is always al-ways something to learn. Men and women will judge you by the companions compan-ions you associate with. They are aware of the fact that the character of those with whom you show such a desire to associate has much to do with your general conduct. Only a few days since a little girl said that she was going to cease to play with another little girl, and gave the reason that her companion yelled so that she was getting into the same habit. Wise little girl! In this world we have to mix up with Tom, Dick and Harry. But there are times when we can pick our company, and that is the time when we have the opportunity to show our wisdom in the choice we make. As we cannot associate with angels, let us strive to mingle with those who are endeavoring to be as good as they can. LAUDA.MUS. |