Cheerfulness.

If as on life's journey gray,
Friend or foe should chance to say,
Aught that might give you offence,
Don'st flare up with temper tense,
Smile, and by your smile return
Love for malice. This will burn,
Distrust and hate till naught remain,
That can cause your spirit pain.

How so drear may be life's road,
Hate more heavy makes your load;
Laugh, and, like the Day that springs
From the womb of night and brings
Light and gladness, you will find
Care like chaff fly with the wind,
While your laugh wakes hope and cheer
In each heart that else was drear.

Laughter is the spice of life,
True extinguisher of strife.
“Laugh and live,” a motto grand
Ever keep at your command.
Then dull care and you will be
Strangers on life's gladsome sea;
While friendship true and love sincere
Blesses all the circling year.

M. Kearin.