At six o'clock in the cars, all is gloom, blueness and sorrow faces. At eight o'clock many of these faces will be changed; there will be joy, smiles, rosiness, singing and dancing. Yet the actual conditions of finance, health, hope or prospects haven't changed since these people were in the car at six o'clock. Why, then, such a change in two hours? [Sidenote: Good Cheer Contagious.] It is this: At seven o'clock these workers sat down to supper; they were out of that gloom-reflected street car atmosphere. Now they are talking; they are rounding-up the day's activities; they are HOME with mother, sister, brother and the kiddies. The home ones greet them with smiles, the appetizing supper pleases the palate, good cheer permeates, and all around them is smiles and joy. Gloom spreads gloom. Joy spreads joy. Gloom is black; joy is white. One darkens, the other brightens. Well, then, where's the moral? What's the benefit from this little study of the street car passengers? The lesson is plain: It is that you and I are ferments of joy, or acids of gloom. We are influences to help or to hurt. To hurt others by our example hurts us. To help others by our example helps us. We become happier than ever. In the street car, life was not worth living if you judged by the pained faces. In two hours, by changed thought, the example of life was worth while. What changes mental attitude makes! "When a man has spent His very last cent, The world looks blue, you bet; But give him a dollar, And loud he will holler There's life in the old world yet." Next time we get on the street car, let's plant some smiles. Let's give that lady a seat and smile when we do it. We can spread cheer by merely wearing a cheery face. Costs little, pays big. Let's do it. 11. Some of our richest blessings are gained by not striving for them directly. This is so true that we accept the blessings without thinking about how we came to get them. [Sidenote: Be Happy.] Particularly true is this in the matter of happiness. Everyone wants to be happy, but few know how to secure this blessing. Most people have the idea that the possession of material things is necessary to happiness, and that idea is what keeps architects, automobile makers, jewelers, tailors, hotels, railroads, steamships and golf courses busy. Do your duty well, have a worth-while ambition, be a dreamer, have an ideal, keep your duty in mind, be occupied sincerely with your work, keep on the road to your ideal, and happiness will cross your path all the while. Happiness is an elusive prize; it's wary, timid, alert and cannot be caught. Chase it and it escapes your grasp. [Sidenote: One Man's Story.]