Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1912 — WHY BE THANKFUL? [ARTICLE]

WHY BE THANKFUL?

Some Things Which Every One Can Rejoice In. The person does not exist who is without something to be thankful for. One who is appreciative in a small way for the bestowal of favors has, at least, augmentation to his thankfulness in the fact that he is not under obligation to return as well as to be grateful for large ones. Are you unhappy? Be thankful that there are plenty to console and more to advise you if only an opportunity Is afforded them. Have you poor eyesight? Be thankful that you are spared seeing more than is good for you anu that you have an excellent excuse for falling to perform many of the small obligations of life. Are your eyes perfect? Be thankful that you need not contribute to the support of oculists and opticians. Are you thin? Be thankful that you are not as the fat, who obstruct the door to progress in many ways and places. * ,

If you are fat, be thankful. The stout woman, for example, always looks comfortable and is usually good tempered, no matter what her feelings and disposition may be. Are you beautiful? Be thankful that you are able to fulfill every earthly desire with no more effort than is required to summon a smile of reward for those who flock to serve you. Do you lack beauty? Be thankful that you are not harassed by the fear of losing your good looks until worry has written its unsightly lines all over your face. If you enjoy the reputation of a wit, be thankful; for all persons who have wits are not’ witty, and one who is never lacks companionship or admirers.

Have you a home? Be thankful that wherever you go there accompanies you the knowledge that your own door Is always open to you, no matter what the position of other doors may be. If you are a married woman be thankful that you need never suffer, like heroines of romance, from suppressed emotions and overcharged feelings. You have always at hand one upon whom you can vent the one and to whom you may charge the other. You are secure in the stronghold of irresponsibility. Are you a married man? Rejoice that there lives at least one person In the world who secretly believes that you are now or at least once were a paragon of perfection. Do you add “spinster” to your legal signature? Let your soul be filled with thankfulness that your esnadal domains may be kent tidy and

furbelowed to a degree neither appreciated nor tolerated by the masculine mind. Remember that a maiden may, if she likes, try on many engagement rings and still enjoy the feminine prerogative of failing to keep the contracts these imply. Are you rich? Be thankful, for your opportunities to enrich the lives of .others are many and even your enemies will kowtow to you. Are you poor? Rejoice, for those whose pleasures are few and bought with an effort are best equipped heartily to enjoy them. Persons who have neither money nor possessions are not harassed by the fear of losing them nor troubled by fluctuations in the world of finance. Have you youth? Be grateful for it. Nothing is impossible for youth to attempt, and it is from the exploitations of youth that sages draw their wisdom. Finally, if you are old, be thankful. Age cohfers privileges which nothing else ever bestows. It is pleasant to be able to tell other people how to bring up their children properly, whether you ever brought up any yourself or not, and to arrogate to yourself, and sometimes express, all the wisdom which years are supposed to garner.