The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-10
A TYPICAL AMERICAN.

He has done everything He has been far
mer boy, soldier, carpenter, groceryman,
book agent, insurance man.. real estate
agent and independent business man, and
gentleman besides. He is typical of that
large class of American men who do not
possess dress suits or an acquaintance in
society, who yet, in some strange way, be-
lieVe in their claim to responsibilities
class cruelty ignored by novelists. Honesty,
purity, genteness, fairness, squareness,
sense-all these he has-but not a dress
suit. When I see him I always think of
what we call the plain American people. l
do not know exactly for what class this
phrase was designed, for it might describe
more than one but believe that he would
mark it joyfully for his own.
I'm sorry didn't have a good education.
feel the need of it in business-sometimes
But, after all, there's nothing like expert
ence for a man. No, sir; nothing in the
world. My boys. now, they'll never realize
the value of that, for their mother thinks
they must be helped educated and started
out in the world--begin where I'll leave off.
Let EN- rough it awhile, say; some hard
knocks won't hurt EN-. They'll live. But
they won't have it-or their mother OF
course l want to help them, but I'm not
sure that's the best way.
'EducationY Oh, yes the education'S all
right l don't kick on that, but l do like to
see a boy with some self-reiance, and, sir.
he's got to depend on himself to get 1t.
Why, | came from Virginia after the war,
my pocket-all l had in the World-and
knocked about some before l was any
richer. pawned my overcoat once was
hungry. And | was pretty thankful when
got a job of sweeping out in grocery.
And 1 wouldn't take money for the expert
ence of those times. 1t done me good.
7 time.
of town has changed some since that time.
1t makes me little sick when l think how
bought all that hill there, when there
wasn't but three houses on. it. don't know
why didn't see il.
I might have done better"
He is an example of that tendency among
American men, said TO indicate our raw
ness, which leaves socia' matters eXclu-
siv,ly to women. His wife sometimes
gives a tea or reception. al which no men
heaven that her debts are paid. Her hus-
band regards these functions in the mood
in which he would look upon a little girls
doll party. He likes women, and always
speaks gently 10 them He thinks they are
useful beings. He realizes his wife's priv
ilege to scold him on minor matters and ac-
cepts such remarks with an equanmity
worthy of Socrates, and straightway does
as he pleases. He enjoys the calls of neigh
bors (who just drop in), but, after all, the
real business of life iS-buslness. lie re-
CARDS the man who cannot make at least
a little money with a pitiful contempt too
deep for Words He reads the newspapers
the Bible and the Chautauqua books. He
thinks America is a great country He be-
comes interested in, but not excited about
politics. A summer resort. even of the
mildest Western type, would cause him
suffering.
Once in about ten years he takes a real
vacation. He goes back TO a plain old
farmhouse IN Virginia, where his mother
lives. and she cooks for him the famed
dishes OF his youth. and LOOKS at MN a.tn
proud fond eyes, and calls him her boy"
And he looks about at the old place, re-
adjusts all its scenes with his later life
recalls hoyhood events and asks about all
the folks regards the old familiar rocks
and hills. looks over at another farm hJuse
thanks God that he left IL all when he did
lie always makes me think of the plain
American people. u. *. hIEFER.