A Kind Hearted Fellow.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 669, 2 September 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

A Kind Hearted Fellow.

Tnia kindness of disposition is in truth an enviable gift : it is to society what sunshine is to cloudy weather, or what a green spot is to a barren desert. It knows no partialit y, and has no object to serve. It flows as lavishly for the beggar's ' G-od bless you,' as for the risk man's friendship ; and is as much at home amid childish prattle, as in the counsels of wisdom. Indeed if we are to judge by their conduct, the young come in for a notable share of it, and seem peculiarly alive to its influences. They know at first sight your kindhearted fellow, and will pitch upon him wiih an aptitude more unerring than could have a Gall or a Lavater. They are shrewd physognomiats these embryo humanities, or it may be that their little guileless souls are drawn by some natural affinity towards hat which is pure and generous. Only let Hudson make an evening call and half-a-dozen of these tiny hosts absolutely boisterous in their welcome. Here a couple pinion his hands, a pair still more diminutive do their best to fetter his limbs, while the elder two have each a seat ready for his reception. There is no mistaking of this heartkindness among children j the man who owns it is sure to be the load-star round which they gather, even though they should never have seen him before. There is something in his looks, hii tones, and littlo acts of attention which they can keenly appreciate ; nor are they to be deceived by the assumption of theie by any other. They know their man too well ever to bo found in fault ; and while they will gradually slink out of the room to be freed from tho presence of his cousin, it is absolutely imperative to issue an order of ejectment to make them quit the chairside of Hudson. They have always so many questions to put, so many wonders to show, that one is almost inclined to pity poor Hudson ; »ud yet no man could be happier, answering, wondering, and amusing with an equanimity that would baffle patience herself to surpass. Nor muit his kindness be shown to themselves alone. It is only tho other day that a young hopeful, scarcely four years old, came dragging into the parlour a large Newfoundland dog, shaggy and wet, against the dress of our friend : nor could he be persaaded to desist, but urged as his plea that * Blucher wanted to know Mr 6 udson.' And know him certainly Blucher did, for animals as well a» children have an instinctive knowledge of, kindness, and read our looks and interpret our tones with a precision still more unerring. Hudson, kind-hearted fellow, i* also an amazing favourite with tho other sex. The girl that opens the door would not do it half so readily for any other person. She knows his knock ; the very lound of his footfall tells her 'that's Mr Hudso* ' His coat and hat are laid aside with unusual care ; he is ushered in with a graceful confidence, and a tone of modest familiarity, that seems to say, ' I know master is always 10 hapty to see you.' Or if we ore not at home, he is told that ' Mwtrws and the children aT© just in the parlour ;' j or i« greeted vrlth, * Would you not ] wait a little, sir?' or with som© such ! expression of humble regard, that never meets the ear of any save your kind-hearted gentleman. The ladies also are all in raptures with him , When their health is proposed, he is ' invariably selected to reply : indeed, ' not a party oa pic-nic could take place without him, any more than it could be summer without sunshine. He ii on active assistance in all their schemes of charity and benevolence, as he is an abettor of their froliV and amusement They associate a certain good luck, with his name, and if the word Hudson only stand at the head of their ■übscription list, be it in behoof of a fancy fair or blanket society, then they are assured all will go well. It has often puzzled us to understand how Hudson contrives to answer the thousand demands that are made upon his time ; and yet in business he has never had a reverse, but prospers more then those who make twenty time* more bustle. The fact is, that kindness of heart is a centre of attraction in busineis as it is in social life ; and his readiness ever to oblige is the very

reason why people of nonse refrain from exacting too much, and why even the worthless feel ashamed to impose upo i it. As amid the amenities of private life, so amid the struggles and aevnyities of public fi.^ yoUi% j ind 4 earte a id pre-eminently conspicuous He is a leading man on 'Change, if not for the depth of his opinion, at least for the honest cordiality with which tt is given. Yoti know him there among his compeers by his open countenance, the frankness with winch he salutes them, and by a certain portliness of figure which will assorts with our ideas of the mental depositions within. The angularities and wrinkles which settle on the face of the surly and peevish have no business with him ; the unsettled lurking ere [ of the man bent on deception, or tie I driving of a hard bargain, newr I disfigured that divine index to Ms kindly heart. A poor but wHI-meai-ing creditor finds relief from Ks friendly toneSj and is thereby nervsd for renewed endeavours ; and ye firmly believe that this kindness his saved from ruin, and reclaimed ;o honesty of purpose, tenfold tie number that ever were dete rred )y dread of exposure and punishment. The demands made upon the time ?f out- friend in public life are quite numerous as those made upon tis attention in private. If their is a bankrupt affair to wind up, ho iB sure to be nominated trustee ; a disputeto settle, ' Oh, we'll refer it to Hudsoj ;' a subscription to be raised foran orphan family, undoubtedly let him be treasurer. Indeed one would alnost imagine that be had the gift of multiplying himself, in order to discharge the duties which this innate goochess of heart insensil ly gathers around it. \n& yet our friend, though ever busy, is never bustled : ' can't attend' — 'call again'— •' not my business,' are phrases that never escape his lips. It is astonishing to see the happy complacency with which your kindhearty fellow passes through the world. He has his joke with one, a bit of banter with another, and a kind wo^d for everybody ; and everybody has as friendly a disposition towa da him. If he err, his errors are soon forgot ; few indeed are to be found who could harbour a malignant feeling against him. His superiors meet him readily, as with one whom it is an honor to know. Ho is the adored of Mb equals, and is as indiapensible to their diuuer-tables and public meetings as he was to tee drawing-rooms of their ladies. With the poor he must ever bo in special rospoct ; for it is the conduct of your kind hearted men that sweetens their cup of life, and renders more tolerable the unequal distributions of fortune in the present artificial state of society. The beggar has an intuitive knowledge of your kind hearte . fellow, and while he will step out of the way of the ckurl, will meet the former with the conviction that he beseeches a brother ; nor is he ever disappointed. If Eudsou has no t a penny to give, he has at least a kind and a friendly tone, aud we verily blicTe, judging from the lighted up countenance of the pauper, that he would twenty times rather have had that, refusal than the coin of the churlish and unfeeling. This kind-heartedness is eminently the development of a high civilisation and refinement. It may exist inherently in human nature ; but it is with its manifestations, and noc with its dubious existence, that we have now to do. Savage life is too intent upou mere selfish necessaries to admit of much of this quality ; and feudalism has too little of equality to admit of it; as a genuine feeling and cause of conduct. It ia only in a free and rational state of society that this kindheartedness can attain its full develop, ment : and the freer and more enlightened we become, the more will it diffuse its happy influence amongst us. '.To think otherwise, would be to take but a mean estimate of the religious and educational efforts of the present century : there would be little fulfilling the high expectations man has formed were they not to infuse into society more truth, more affection, and more brotherly forbearance- There may not be associated with this disposition much of what the world calls superior talent, brilliant genius, butifcis bv er accompanied by whatis more useful to the everyday business of life — a fuadof good common lense, and quick appreciation of what is necessary for the esiugeaces of : the moment. And after ail, what were i the value of the moat exalted genius, the brightest gifts of the head, if th<* htart wiB cold, and Hellish, and scornful? It is but dubious wisdom that does not make men better and happier — very questionable talent that tella only of the intellect, while the affections are left barren and desolate.

' This i« the rook of ages,' said a tired , father who had kept the crodle going for two hoars, and the baby still awake. A barber in Danodin, named Balance, recently endeavoured to commit suicide, a la the late Sultan of Tin key, by cutting one of the main arteries in his arm. Us succeeded, by m«anK of * table knife, in aovonng a vein in his right arm, aftt r whioh he called for assistance. Balance Is expected to recover his balance. Mr Binuey sold at his Mark to-day three £10 shares In the Daily Southern Cross and j Weekly News Company for £3 5s eaob. One of the directors of the company was tho purchaser. We believe it is probable that Major Greon will permaaently retain the ottioe of Sheriff, rendered vacant by tho death of tho late Colonel Balnearia.