510 THE PRINCIPLES OF PERSONAL POWER
Standing just behind her was another young woman who was mak-
ing notations on slips of paper and passing them in front of her as the
customers in the line unburdened their troubles. These slips of paper
contained the gist of what the women in the line were saying, minus the
"vitriolic coloring" and the anger.
This smiling young woman at the desk who was "hearing" the
complaints was deaf! Her assistant supplied her with all the necessary
facts, through those slips of paper.
I was so impressed with the plan that I sought the manager of the
store and interviewed him. He informed me that he had selected a deaf
woman for one of the most trying and important positions in the store
because he had not been able to find any other person with sufficient
Self-Control to fill the position.
Ever since I witnessed that scene, I have thought of the poise and
Self-Control of that young woman at the desk every time I felt myself
becoming irritated at remarks I did not like. Often I have thought that
everybody should have a set of "mental ear muffs" which they could
slip over their ears at times. Life is too short and there is too much
constructive work to be done to justify us "striking back" at everyone
who says something that we do not wish to hear.
As I stood and watched that line of angry people, I observed what
a pleasant effect the smile of the young woman at the desk had on
them. Even those who came to her growling like wolves often went away
as meek and quiet as sheep. This young woman's Self-Control had made
them ashamed of themselves. Those who control themselves usually boss
the job, no matter what it may be.No doubt all people who refuse or neglect to exercise Self-Control are
literally turning away opportunity after opportunity without knowing it.
One rainy afternoon an old lady walked into a Pittsburgh depart-
ment store and wandered around in an aimless sort of way, very much