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Show Bet the "Happy Habit" Now H Joe Mitchell Chappie, editor of the national Magar.lnc, Is an earnest advocate ad-vocate of the "happy habit" as opposed op-posed to the long face and disposition on the part of any to believe that everything Is going to tho bow-wows. Joe Is unable U see greatest merit In the Socialistic effort to uproot and overturn all government and suggests to their star ranters that they take a dose of optimism, euro their dyspepsia, and get the "happy habit." And then he tells the following story. "I took a street car not long ago at that hour of the evening when every one is reluming from work. The passengers were crowded in the seats and hanging on the straps hot, tired, cross, for It was a muggy, warm June evening, 1 made a careful observation observa-tion of every face vli'lblo In the car, and on all tlicro was a certain morose-ness morose-ness that prevaded Jim car like a Oreeplng mist and hung over us like a pall. Then tho conductor came 9 through. He was a little, bluc-eyed H Irishman, with a sparkle in his glance, H a smile on his lips, and music In his voice as he said "fares please." That corflufitor, In passing through that crowded car, by the Infection of his smile and the pleasant tone of his voice, changed the whole moral atmosphere atmo-sphere from the time that he began collecting his fares. There was a little Joke here and there as ho wormed worm-ed himself past the people swinging Simian-like on the straps, and narrowly narrow-ly escaped treading on the toes of those sitting down. The neive-Jarr-Ing creak of the straps seemed suddenly sudden-ly stilled: the stuffy atmosphere of the car appeared to freshen beforo six blocks had been passed. The man with brasj buttons and leather-lined pockets, cheerfully attending to his onerous work, had done more good to my mind than half a dozen ranting re formers who storm on tho rostrum, trying to sow the seeds of discontent and despair, In the hope of some time reaching the inlllcnlum. Why nut look up and be cheerful and get hold of the crown of everlasting bliss right now? The average American of today Is not going to admit that the froth of agitation which Is lloatingon the surface sur-face is any fair criterion of the solid sense or sober thought. The great trouble seems to be that we have in America a few people who forget they live in this enlightened land and not In Uuulii. 1 lean back once more In the old rocking chair with tho rejection that some day, some time, these same persons per-sons will realize that men of today arc b:tter and nobler than any who have gone before. The situation of this country today Is unique. Never was there a nation where work was so honored, hon-ored, and where so many of the citizens citi-zens worked which Is, after all, the condition that presages the Ideal time "When no one shall work for money And no one shall work for fame, Hut each for the joy of the working." When everyone does his and her ownwdk, theie will be employment for all and not. tou much labor for anyone. any-one. And why keep your feelings balling with suspicion that no one Is quite right except yourself, for If it takes thief lu catcli thief, grafter to oitch grafter, you cannot atlord to join the tauks of the Disciples of Despair while God gives us so much of the sunshine of hope and happiness." |
