Weber State University - Acorn Yearbook (Ogden, UT)

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A CHILD S COMPANY MANNERS. The 1 corn—Page 8 “Sit down, will you, please, and wait a minute till my mother comes!” said a little girl to two ladies who came to see her mother. “And will you give me a glassof water? Edith!” asked one of the ladies. “With pleasure,” answered Edith, and she presently came back with two glasses. “Oh. thank you,” said the other lady, “you are very thoughtful.” “I am glad io serve you,” said Edith in her gentlest tones. When Edith went out of the room one of the ladies remarked, “That little girl is one of the loveliest children 1 ever met.” “Her manners are very sweet and obliging,” replied the other. Let us go into the next room and see. Edith went back with the glasses. “Me drink! me drink!” cried Bobbie, screwing up his rosy lips. “Get out, Bob,” cried Edith, “go to Bridget for water.” “Don’t speak to your little brother that way,” said Bridget. “It is none of your business what I say,” cried Edith. “Edith” called grandma from the top of the stairs. “What?” screamed Edith. “Come up, dear.” “1 don’t want to.” She, however, dragged herself upstairs: unwilling feet find it hard to climb. “Edith,” said grandma, “will you try to find my specs? I am pretty certain J left them in the dining room.” “No, you did’nt,” cried Edith in across, contradictory tone, “you al- ways lose them up here,” and she rummaged round the chamber tumbling things over disorderly. “No matter,” said the dear old lady, seeing she would have much to do to put things to rights again, “f can find them now, and Edith went olT pouting. Oh, dear! where are Edith’s obliging manners? Why, those are her company manners. She puts them on in the parlor and puts them oil’ when she leaves it. She wears them before visitors and hangs them up when they are gone. She forgets that true politeness is worn in the kitchen as well as in the parlor. Hattie Owen. '08.

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CHARACTER. The Acorn—Tage 7 Nothing has so much to do with our happiness as character. On it de- pends whether or not we are to he influential and whether or not we are to be loved, and whether or not we are to excel. And in these three we find the foundation of all happiness. Character means individuality or that which one is in himself. It is not effected in the least by any outward agency, but only by voluntary trans- gressions. Some might say that different circumstances have much to do with the formation of character; but in all walks of life there are temptations which must be overcome before we can establish truthfulness. So we may say, that regardless of social conditions or financial surround- ings. the essentials of a good character may be formed. These, I claim, are honesty, morality, and love, the first named being the most important. Honesty means straightforwardness and fair dealing with everybody; it car- ries with it that respect which no other attribute in life can. Call to mind any man who is minutely honest and see if his name does not connote a favor- able impression in vour mind By morality I mean being free from vice, from the use intoxicants and tobacco, from the habit of profanity. Who is there that does not respect morality? Even the vilest of men admire purity. Love includes kindness and sympathy. It is the result of some admirable quality we see in anything. Often love can accomplish results that force cannot. Refinement is a mark of good character, but cannot be considered as an essential. It includes etiquette, pride, and a love for the beautiful. These are wanting in many men who still have good, strong characters. Of course there are exceptions to the general rule concerning good and bad charactere in men. A man, by his outward acts, may create a good im- pression upon the people; and below this, he may be harboring deception, vice, and crime. But he will surely be found out before he dies. Call to mind your feelings when you have told a lie. or done something else wrong, and again, your feelings when you are void of offence toward anybody. Such a contrast will show the difference between the mind of the deceiver and the man who is what he professes to be.

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the: two armies. The Acorn— ! W 9 The mentioning of this heading suggests ;i battle between large com- panies of men, each one fighting to a different end Let us make a division between them, and find what their motives are. One army marches in perfect order to the beat of the drum; and their armor and spears glisten in the sunlight. At the head of the company walks the standard bearer. On the banner of crimson we read the motto: ‘‘Our glory is to slay ” When one of their number falls in the battle, he is consid- ered a great hero, and is mourned by thousands, who erect monuments to him. and sing his praises in the cathedrals. He has lived his life, and has used his strength for the attainment of glory—his one selfish aim. Now let us cross the river and notice the opponents. We find neither showy costumes nor drums, and instead of the bright colored banner we see a white one, and on it the single line, “Our duty is to save.” What a con- trast to the first! Yet in life we see these armies closely associated. On the battlefields we see forms moving to and fro caring for the wounded and slain; in daily life we find people devoting their whole time to the betterment of the nations, and of individuals, giving up all their own pleasure for the good of others. When these earthly angels pass away at the summons of Death, there are comparitively few who mourn for them, and they have nothing but the soil and nature’s beauty to mark their graves. Yet there is One who has been watching the deeds of each, and who has been marking the falling tear of Love as well as the glorious deeds of Valor. The army of Love have used this life for the good of others, and they gain their reward in the presence of our Father ; while the army of Valor have sought for their glory in this life, and having gained their reward, have nothing to claim in the next world. Let us then remember the words of the Savior: “He that saveth his life, shall lose it. And he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it.” ). W.