Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-10-13
Thanks.

Ed. RegiSteT-I hardly know what
to say, or how to say it. You have
heard me say that IS years ago, on the
9TH day of October, l first saw the light
of day, and l suppose | gave my first
cry. l don't exactly remember about
| that or what | had for breakfast that
morning. But I think it must have
| been lovely, sunshiny fall morning,
| for l have always loved the bright fall
| day of October, the most delightful
| month of all the year, for it gave me a
| habit and propriety-I don't know that
either of those words convey just my
meaning-a trait of always looking on
the bright, sunny side. l do not re-
member of even having in all these IS
I'years single unpleasant birthday
not one. Sometimes the day would
have shady spots like this last 18th
one, but the sun would find a spell
during the day to show its face and
take look around. No day in all my
life do remember that the sun did
not shine part of the time, and in all
of my life did I ever see on this day,
all the suffering with aches and pains,
the time did not find some sunshine
during the day-something to feel that
it could be warm. Mine has always
been a cheerful disposition, desire for
fun. That has been one of the things
that / have had 10 fight against, to
to turn things to fun. Jolly-yes,
disposition to jollity.
Now / want TO tell you why | have
to write on this last birthday. / took
my neice out riding, not expecting
anything different from any other day.
But when we come to the post-office /
was handed sixteen letters, all directed
to myself, and some packages. To
save my life could not imagine what
was up. l well knew l was not the
president of the United States. nor was
a Dewey or Sampson, but just my own
old self; and when | reached home I
found new surprises, for / found the
supper table set for quite a number.
and such a mass of most gorgeous
flowers to grace the table! A great
big frosted cake stood high on the
cake-stand, and at my plate pile of
bundles and boxes-books, etc. /
began to realizk, and take in the sltu-
alton, and after supper l seated myself
in the big, easy rocker, and with the
shears clipped the ends of the envel-
opes. And as / read each one oft hose
loving messages from loving friends
and children-breathing love and good
will, full of good words for the future
/ could hardly realize it all was meant
for my own old self. And can you i'm
agine how l felt as read each loving
message. o felt myself so unworthy.
Although l have all of my life made it
rule to treat everybody, high or low,
as would wish to be treated, felt
had only done my duty to my fellow
man.
And now let me thank each one of
all those well-wishers and loving
friends. and wish each and every one
long life, days of Sunshine and nights
of peace, and all the blessings that a
kind Father can give to each and every
one. And let me thank the REGISTER
for all that it has sent abroad that
have contributed to its labors, and may
the shadow of the editor never grow
less. and the press never be at rest!
Now, once more, [ thank every one
and at last when we all come to settle
up our last accounts, may there be a
good balance found on the credit side
OF each one of as. I. P. Z.