style or was conscious of his rhetoric, or trying to apply the
conventional rules of oratory. It is when the orator's soul is on fire
with his theme, and he forgets his audience, forgets everything but his
subject, that he really does a great thing.

No painter ever did a great masterpiece when trying to keep all the
rules of his profession, the laws of drawing, of perspective, the
science of color, in his mind. Everything must be swallowed up in his
zeal, fused in the fire of his genius,--then, and then only, can he
really create.

No singer ever captivated her audience until she forgot herself, until
she was lost in her song.

Could anything be more foolish and short-sighted than to allow a morbid
sensitiveness to interfere with one's advancement in life?

I know a young lady with a superb mind and a fine personality, capable
of filling a superior position, who has been kept in a very ordinary
situation for years simply because of her morbid sensitiveness.

She takes it for granted that if any criticism is made in the
department where she works, it is intended for her, and she "flies off
the handle" over every little remark that she can possibly twist into a
reflection upon herself.

The result is that she makes it so unpleasant for her employers that
they do not promote her. And she can not understand why she does not
get on faster.

No one wishes to employ anyone who is so sensitive that he is obliged
to be on his guard every moment lest he wound him or touch a sore spot.
It makes an employer very uncomfortable to feel that those about him
are carrying around an injured air a large part of the time, so that he
never quite knows whether they are in sympathy with him or not. If
anything has gone wrong in his business and he feels vexed, he knows
that he is liable to give offense to these people without ever
intending it.

A man wants to feel that his employees understand him, and that they
take into consideration the thousand and one little vexations and
happenings which are extremely trying, and that if he does not happen
to approach them with a smiling face, with consideration and
friendliness in his words or commands, they will not take offense.
They will think of his troubles, not their own, if they are wise: they
will forget self, and contribute their zeal to the greater good.

CHAPTER XX

TACT OR COMMON SENSE

"Who is stronger than thou?" asked Braham; and Force replied
"Address."--VICTO