Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-13
UNKNOWN TO FAME.
Courageous Men and Women Of
Whom tho World Never Hears.
A SOLDIERS BRAVERY IN CAMP.
The Expression That One Doesn't Know
What Fear is Means kaughL
LIFE WORK on A PlTTsBURG WOMAN
wnrrrEs ron THE pIsrArGH.I

How many heroes contribute 10 the
recor I'd of fame? How many don't? The
don is have II, several to one. Fame edits
her record with ruthless rigor. II 10 TO be
read alodd with magic lantern illustrations,
or 1t 10 to be recited behind the iootlights.
Therefore, whatever heroic story comes to
her, she judges by these standards. II 1t
has no place for colored slides; II II Will not
"stage" well. away it goes into her waste
basket.
U undoubtedly the literature she gives Is
the most interesting; but the literature she
don't give has much greater volume. And
m uch of this is more valuable and instruc-
tive than the other; for the most interesting
matter is not always the most precious.
Heroic biography, If the best were given,
would crowd the library with names of
which lame never even made MEM
orandum. For the most heroic heroism is
that which never comes to climax at all.
There is nothing dramatic in it. Therefore
the trumpet does not sound in it. There
ore, also, it is harder to enact, and implies
greater courage. For the swi t dash OF dar-
ing, and the ringing shout OF defiance. are
things we all enjoy. They stir the hero's
blood as we'll as the spectators. Under
their exhilaratlng impulse his achievement
has for him a certain wild delight.
Even crsvens can do magnificent deeds If
they have to. And they Can cover with
terror at the thought oil them alterward.
Doubtless the deeds we have all applauded
were such deeds as those. Fame did not
tell US OF the terrified aflerthought. In the
rapid rush of life the multitude has not
much time to gaze. A quick, sharp glance
1T can spare. And it can take time to cheer
for what it sees in that flash. 1t would gain
much profit il it could stand still now aud
then, and patiently watch heroic life. But
after all, the heroic life is not wasted. Per-
haps, when all is told, there is better
record even than fame'sl
Courage of a Country Boy.
In the summer of 1861 a stalwart young
farmer enlisted in a Western regiment. He
was a common country boy, out and out. He
was not glib of speech. He WAS somewhat
slow of movement. His wit was not keen,
although be was intelligent enough. He
was rather shy, and was far more sensitive
than are many poets. But he was not q
poet. Indeed he had not single brilliant
quality about him. But he had the
quality of courage. The boys discovered
-Na
tnat tne hrss hIgns ne was VIII VIII snem' Nos
through any "arlike e., acnleVement was tne
quailty revealeu. Inc rons was nun
dreus OF tniles away from snls raw regiment
Neither ne nor ms new comrsoes could win
ploody aureIs yes wnlie' 1et there on
tne ousskir.s i oI peace VI city, On nls nrss
hlgnt Oh eartaek W ilie, shls new IeeTuI. ala
PRAYER 9eee shah lhapy shas "eFe soiu VI
aiterwara W she alspasenes; ,,,-,,
When tne puRIe souhaea hgns out
he knelt down ~ she loot o. ms blankets
ana PRAYED ae always ala that ~ nome
peioro goihg W oeu' ~ was gona tHihg
70 do there u was stliI better thing TO do
here. DO no saia MS ped'sims prayer 10
usual.
Sos mueh courage heeaea Tor that' 20 you
syt FernAps not put wouia ask the
doup'ef 70 Wy Aome'lhe' 70 ~ luis
young man did " MOI oAteh'atlouSly or
aehAntiy, OF ~ mI.Ai1hary hcti ous a. ~
slInpie ACT OF obvious Shris'ihh duty' lhns
was lne way he Iesarueu H. Anu ho hesueu
simoss nar.yrs e1urAee W Ansel anu say