Consideration for others pays big dividends.  It is a virtue that makes for strong friendships and true affections.  Those who possess it have a hard time hiding their light under a bushel.  In teaching fortitude to others they partake of the same knowledge.  In the hours of their own affliction they retain their courage and keep their minds unsoured.  They are the sure-enough “good fellows” of life and their presence is the signal for instantaneous good cheer.  We all know them by their gentle knock at the door.  In a thousand ways they impress themselves upon our lives, have entered into our councils, have given us the right advice at the right time—­and when the sad day comes along their strong shoulders are there for us to lean upon.

Consideration for others is apt to be an inherent quality, but like everything else it can be accentuated or modified according to our own determination.  It is a growth that should be inculcated early in the lives of children—­the earlier the better.  A child’s most impressionable age is said to be between its fourth and fifth years.  Then is the time to teach it the little niceties of life—­the closing of a door softly—­tip-toeing quietly that mother may not be awakened from her nap—­tidiness—­cleanliness—­good morals—­all of which are to become vital factors in a life of consideration for others.

A great many of us have the desire to be of service to others but timidity holds us back.  Say, for instance, one might see a person in great distress and because of diffidence withhold the proffered hand—­someone we’ve known who comes to the point of penury but has too much pride to ask assistance—­we pass by fearful that we might offend.  How many times has this happened to us?  Who knows but the best friend we have at this very moment would give anything in the world if his pride would let him bridge that distance between us.

[Illustration:  A Scene from “The Americano”—­Matching Wits for Gold]

Nevertheless the desire to do the right thing was in itself helpful.  The thought of doing something for someone was a correct impulse and should have been carried into action.  Early in life we should have started our foundation for doing things in the cause of others.  Putting off the time when we shall begin to obey our higher impulses toward helpfulness to our fellows is but a reaction in our own characters which dulls determination.  We want to do but we don’t.  As time goes on we just don’t—­that’s all.  Our good intentions have gone to pave the bottomless pits containing our unfulfilled heart promptings.  We meant well—­but we failed to act—­we didn’t have the courage.  Our failures spread a gloom before us. We lost our chances for a happy life!

The man with the ability to laugh has little diffidence about these matters.  Having confidence in himself and being happy and alert he goes to the friend in need with courage and the kind of help that helps.  If he doesn’t do it directly he finds a way to reach him through mutual friends.  He does not go about parading his kindness, either.  He has gained a sincere and beautiful pleasure out of aiding an old friend and he can go on his way rejoicing that life is worth living when he has lived up to its higher ideals.