Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1902-03-22

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GEORGE R. PECK, good fellows" His
theme was "The Light of Other Days"
and he spoke as follows:
You remember-do you not?-how the
stories which beguiled the happiest
hours of childhood began with the pre-
liminary words: "Once upon time"
In Some form or other, these words
creep into all the annals Of human life
and of human affairs; not always ex-
pressed, but always understood. once
upon time there was q man In the land
OF Uz whose name was job" and then
there Is unfolded to our gaze one OF the
modest dramas Of all literature. The par
aables of the New Testament. with which
the Great Master illuminated His teach
ings, and which point uneeringly to the
lesson He wished to inculcate. illustrate
this rule of narration. for the mind UNI
consciously supplies the words. Once
upon q time "a certain man planted O
vineyard and set hedge about II" once
upon q time there was a judge that
feared not God" Once upon a time
s'there was q certain rich man which was
clothed In purple and fine linen and
Jared sumptuously every day." Once
upon q time "a certain man had two
sons" and then we have the story so
true to human nature Of the prodigal
and his jealous elder brother. who re-
manned at home-not much to his ad-
vantage as we learn from the story.
You remember the rapturous sonnet OF
Keats, which begins:
'Then I felt like some watcher Of the
skies ,
When a new planet swims into his KEN"
And yet, all his ecstacy arose from the
simple perusal Of that great epoch In
which deep-browed Homer tells how
'once upon a time Achilles and Aga
memnon led the embattled Greeks to the
plains of Troy. where they fought the
hosts of Priain to the tragic end.
We trace the currents of human life
by gathering up stories. traditions, leg
ends and sagas OF the past and from them
extract history. Thuycidides, Tacitus,
Froissart, Clarendon and the rest have.
far beyond their own intent, given US
;glimpses of things they did not fully see
themselves.
And now I come to my excuse for SO
long q preface. You do not know-at
least, you do not all know-the pleasure
I feel in being here tonight Naturally,
one must be gratified when he Is per-
mitted to mingle in the company of SO
distinguished a portion Of the American
bench and bar But this Is not all
though surely that were enough. "Once
upon q time" more than 30 years ago
Ehue! fugaces labuntur anni-I stood on
the brow of yonder bluff, looking out on
~
beckonings were honest ones. or only the
mirrored pictures Of my too ardent mag
ination. Kansas City was then. as now.
the gateway of the west. That day 1t
was q prophecy, now 1t Is the fulfill
ment of a prophecy. Then 1t was
dream, now 1t is q dream come true.
You have, 1 believe. always admitted that
your growth, your prestige and your
commercial Importance have come large
ly-I had almost said principally-from
Kansas, that great. noble, happy, I'M
happy state. l remember hearing ner
called Cinderella. How often have her
beautiful eyes been wet with tears, but
where are they now? Kissed away by
the protecting genius that has cherished
her in good AND In evil days. Though
am now alien In citizenship, I can never
be an alien in heart. When Kansas first
became my home, her broad acres were
a border land, and her horizon the rim
and margin of all my hopes. Those were
the days Of cheerful yesterdays and con-
fident to-morrows; Of loyal friends land
their adoption tried" of poverty and
contentment, twin blessings that bring
10y to every home in which they dwell.
NV Kansas was clad in beauty every
day, and on her brow was set the seal
of courage and Of faith. When I hear
of the newcomers who are now finding
homes within her boundaries wish them
well, and congratulate them upon the
wisdom that has led them thither. !
think how they will add to her wealth,
her property and her honor. and then
indulge a hope that they will not tram
pie out the wild roses which used to
scent the morning air, nor disturb the
yellow sunfiowers that "once upon
time" made the prairies glisten like q
golden shield.
I pray you, do not blame me for this
sentimental affection for your neighbor.
I am mindful that this city Is In Mis-
souri,, and / know, too, that Missouri
As an imperial realm whose resources
cannot be measured, whose wealth Is
boundless, whose destiny is secure. And
vet. you are Kansas City ! am sure
you would not change that name; and II
YOU should mediate such step, all
Kansas would rise in indignant protest
at so wanton a violation OF her time
, honored rights.
There is a charm about new country;
subtle sweet and indefnable. 1t Is like
the sea, with its breath OF unsullied
breezes. And there too, the people, freed
from the conventionalities Of older COM
munities, revel in the privilege OF being
natural. / count any man unfortunate
whose fate has not permitted him, at
solne period Of his life, TO call Kansas his
home. Perhaps he Is not TO blame, but
surely he is to be pitied. AS look back
upon those days. which had in them 90
much Of laughter and so little OF tears.