Page:Cyclopedia of illustrations for public speakers, containing facts, incidents, stories, experiences, anecdotes, selections, etc., for illustrative purposes, with cross-references; (IA cyclopediaofillu00scotrich).pdf/42



pearls. The girl supposed they were only imitations, but the whole story came out in a few days when, on taking them to a jeweler to have the clasp tightened, she was cross-questioned as to how the pearls had come into her possession. They proved to be worth more than $11,000.—New York Press.

(121)

See ; ; ;.

Appreciation, Belated—See.

APPRECIATION, DELAYED

Mrs. Marion M. Hutson points out the necessity of appreciating the help of others before it is too late.

Somewhere in the future—God knows when— These tired hands will lie at rest—and then The friends and loved ones will recall with tears Some kindly deed they wrought in bygone years. Will ponder o'er those little acts again, And register them all on heart and brain. My precious ones, why wait? Tell me to-day If ever hands of mine have soothed your way.

(122)

APPRECIATION, LACK OF

The owner of a small country estate decided to sell his property, and consulted an estate agent in the nearest town about the matter. After visiting the place, the agent wrote a description of it, and submitted it to his client for approval.

"Read that again," said the owner, closing his eyes and leaning back in his chair contentedly.

After the second reading he was silent a few moments, and then said thoughtfully: "I don't think I'll sell. I've been looking for that kind of a place all my life, but until you read that description I didn't know I had it! No; I won't sell now."

If we could see our own blessings as others see them, would it not add to our contentment with our lot?

(123)

APPRECIATION OF CHARACTER

A shipping merchant said to a boy applying for work, "What can you do?" "I can do my best to do what you are kind enough to let me try," replied the boy. "What have you done?" "I have sawed and split my mother's wood for nearly two years." "What have you not done?" "Well, sir," the boy replied after a moment's reflection, "I have not whispered in school for over a year." "That is enough," said the merchant. "I will take you aboard my vessel, and I hope some day to see you her captain. A boy who can master a wood-pile and bridle his tongue must have good stuff in him."—, "Character Lessons."

(124)

Appreciation of Poetry—See.

Appreciation of the Gospel Story—See .

APPRECIATION, SPIRITUAL

An infinite joy is lost to the world by the want of culture of the spiritual endowment. Suppose that I were to visit a cottage and to see its walls lined with the choicest pictures of Raffael, and every spare nook filled with statues of the most exquisite workmanship, and that I were to learn that neither man, woman, nor child ever cast an eye at these miracles of art, how should 1 feel their privation; how should I want to open their eyes, and to help them to comprehend and feel the loveliness and grandeur which in vain courted their notice! But every husbandman is living in sight of the works of a diviner Artist; and how much would his existence be elevated could he see the glory which shines forth in their forms, hues, proportions, and moral expression!—

(125)

APPREHENSION, LINCOLN'S

In Carl Schurtz' war reminiscences, we find the following, showing the apprehension felt by Lincoln at the outbreak of the war:

One afternoon, after he [President Lincoln] had issued his call for troops, he sat alone in his room, and a feeling came over him as if he were utterly deserted and helpless. He thought any moderately strong body of Secessionist troops, if there were any in the neighborhood, might come over the "long bridge" across the Potomac, and just take him and the members of the Cabinet—the whole lot of them. Then he suddenly heard a sound like the boom of a cannon. "There they are!" he said to himself. He expected every moment that somebody would rush in with the report of an attack. But the White House attendants,