Article October 12, 1912 Issue

"STEP ON THE HIGH PLACES"

MARY I. MESECHRE.

Morning had dawned bright and sunny after the rainy night, and spring's balmy breath welcomed those who ventured abroad, although it was necessary to look to the ways of one's going and to exercise caution in crossing the streets. Down the walk came a mother and child. "Oh, what a bad crossing!" exclaimed the mother. "Be careful, dear, and keep out of the mud !" Half-way across the little foot slipped, and no amount of trying served to regain the firm path. In sheer despair the boy soon ceased to struggle, and clumped defiantly through the mud, while his mother alternately chided his carelessness and lamented the appearance of his once tidy feet.

Shortly afterward a second mother and child approached the crossing. "Step on the high places. dear!" was the gentle admonition; and so intent was the child upon selecting the high places, that not once did the little feet slip into the treacherous mire, and reaching the other side of the street without mishap, he ran happily along by his mother's side.

Each mother was solicitous for her child; each child endeavored to follow his mother's loving admonition. In one case failure resulted; in the other the attempt was successful. Wherein lay the difference? After long musing, the reply to my query was found in the difference in the method by which the warning of danger was given by the two mothers. "Be careful, and keep out of the mud," said the one. "Step on the high places," advised the other. The first noted only the danger, thus filling the child's thought with fear, and suggesting failure as a possibility. The second mentioned only the best that was to be seen, thus lifting thought from possible defilement or danger and presenting no opportunity for aught but success.

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