THE WORRIES OF SUSPICION He who has a suspicious mind is ever the prey of worry.

Such an one is to be pitied for he is tossed hither and yon, to and fro, at the whim of every breath of suspicion he breathes.

He has no real peace of mind, no content, no unalloyed joy, for even in his hours of pleasure, of recreation, of expected jollity he is worrying lest someone is trying to get ahead of him, his _vis-a-vis_ is "jollying" him, his partner at golf is trying to steal a march on him, he is not being properly served at the picnic, etc.
These suspicious-minded people are sure that every man is a scoundrel at heart--more or less--and needs to be watched; no man or woman is to be trusted; every grocer will sand his sugar, chicory his coffee, sell butterine for butter, and cold-storage eggs for fresh if he gets a chance.

To accept the word of a stranger is absurd, as it is also to believe in the disinterestedness of a politician, reformer, office-holder, a corporation, or a rich man.

But to believe evil, to expect to be swindled, or prepare to be deceived is the height of perspicacity and wisdom.