The Central Presbyterian

A Valuable Secret.

It is related of Franklin that from the window of his office in Philadelphia he noticed a mechanic, among a number of others, at work on a house which was being erected close by, who always appeared to be in a merry humor, and who had a kind and cheerful smile for every one he met. Let the day be ever so cold, gloomy, or sunless, the happy smile danced like a sunbeam on his cheerful countenance.

Meeting him one day, Franklin requested to know the secret of his constant, happy flow of spirits. "It is no secret, Doctor," the man replied; "I've got one of the best of wives, and when I go to work she always gives me a kind word of encouragement and a blessing with her parting kiss, and when I go home she is sure to meet me with a smile and a kiss of welcome; and then tea is sure to be ready; and as we chat in the evening I find she has been doing so many little things through the day to please me that I cannot find it in my heart to speak an unkind word or give an unkind look to anybody."

And Franklin adds: "What an influence, then, hath woman over the heart of man, to soften it and make it the fountain of cheerful and pure emotions. Speak gently, then; a happy smile and a kind word of greeting after the toils of the day are over, cost nothing and go far toward making a home happy and peaceful."