On Taking Notice.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 73

On Taking Notice.

We may divide the world of our friend* and acquaintances into these two divi* sione ; those who take noticie, and those who do , not. Among the latier are wry many good and estimable men and woqiett whom you can count on with > certaihtt if you can secure their attention. But chat if! Who does not know the quick irritation which can hardly be suppressed wßen* in the very midst of a recital of joys' or woes most important to , yourself, your auditor suddenly breaks urSjjrithv some suca remark as " Oh ! look at ' Daaidy ' ; doesn'ti he look sweet with, his ears. ' cocked?' ' J Or, "There's the front door be^l. I .wgnder if it's. Miss ■Prettyman? Or, ' 'si fancy I) hear a sound upstairs, dear;" do forgive? me if I run up and rfee that baby's all right." Yob turn away with an angrysigh, and~ a resolve that it will be long before you come there, for sympathy again, even if it is your ©wn x married siste.rl On the other hand, now soothing is the entire attention, the seeing eye, whic}* some people give so freely to all ! It is) more habit than anything else. The habit? of giving your whole' mind to what is going on at the moment is quite easily acquired, and is ' invaluable from every point of view. But to take notice is more than to tnvf attention when it is asked for. Howj pleasant it is when your men-folk see if? you have spent a whole day smartening an the drawing-reom, -a»d say as they comfl in, " Why, yon've been 'altering, the rooni, I like it much better!" Or exclaim at the beauty of your flowers> or see at ono& that you have a new gown, on, and praise it, or even criticise it kindly; if fchejf) notice instantly a weary attitude or de* jected expression-," and asft if yon are tiredj or worried ; if they /see your needs at tha table— look behind _®St' teapot .cosy that! screens the emptiness of the housewife's .plate, perceive that the salt is out of youp reach, look round to see who wants bread? before cutting for themselves-r-these things) make the wheels run smoothly, nay, joy« ously, along the road of life. • No completely self-absorbed mnn o^ woman, can really "take notice," although^ good manners jalone may conceal the self/ absorption, to a: certain ; and many, truly unselfish, kind people lack this? quality^ They will not take the trouble! to notice little things; $hey apply them* selves to the larger things of life toot entirely. Many a woman who would freelji risk her life for her sister will not take the trouble to order a copy of the magar zinc / which contains her lates^ story, and many a man who would' cheerfully parti witb half his income to his friend will! not try to remember that he likes his beefi underdone, 01 will talk golf when , hisi friend has come to unburden his soul. - Learn to take notice. It k the quailtyj winch will endear you 1 to your friend** more than" any other.— The Lady.