Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-07
AS YOU LIKE IT
Some Stray Leaves From Reporters
 Note Book.

teacher asked one or the scno4hS Wn"1 a lions den was. The boy immediate Ay replied that it was his moustache.
  A Bible student has recently been figuring on how long it Wouid nave ta- ken the people to make the JouiAey from Dan to Beersheba if they could have had the benefit in the olden times of the Empire State express. He figured that the train would have made this journey in less than three hours although from a reading of the account in the Bible one would think it was long journey, and it was for those days with their limited means of trans portation. Ezekiel, the Chaldean pro- phet, had in his minds eye something like the Empire State express when he uttered the words recorded in the first chapter of his prophecy.
 The As You Like It man met an old friend of his from New York few days ago. For this friend the As You Like It man has much respect, mingled with a certain feeling of ad- miration. The man in question is a striking example of what honesty, thrift, zeal, hard work and brains can accomplish. About twenty years ago this man, who was then mere boy, started to work in a mill in New Jer- sey for II cents day. By hard and zealous work and honesty he raised himself from one position to another until today he is the general manager of a large trust company in New York which has mills in various parts of the country. His position is next to that of the yice-president and commands yalary of about $5,00O.
 Now that spring is almost here the following will be of interest to flower growers: 'sThe flowers to be found in the unpretentious but pretty gardens of newcomers from Germany are, in a general way those best adapted for backyard adornment in all parts of the country, says the Woman's Home Companion. Morning glory vines and woodbine can be depended upon to cover fences or low buildings in a req sonab1y brief space of time, and if en- couraged will run riotously over trel- lises or arbors. The common crimson variety of petmias will flourish with N6Iy IlUlC dlCCHJlO1s dAll pl c most pleasing appearance Scarlet geraniums and vivfd-hued petunias are favorftes, as is also the yellow coreop- sis. Roses of the common varieties of course have places, and likewise do iady's slippers, celandine and zinnias. Dwarf sunfiowers are used extensively for bordering walks or paths, and some of the hardier varieties of ivy iv, s,oc4 +o irvine about posts which would other wise prove jarring notes in the pie ture."
 Our friend "Plunk' is out in print with screed upon his neighbors whom he thinks little tuo thin skinned about the antics of the stage Irishman. Per- haps "Plunk" is right and then for all one can tell he may be very wide of the mark You see it depends upon whose OK is being gored Not long since prominent court official joking Iy made some uncomplimentary re- marks about the fair sex of ''Plunk's'' nationality and without waiting to consult other races the poet forthwith buckled on his armor and went gun ming for the offending party, and jab- bed him so close to the heart that the jester squealed and promptly made an apology ''Plunk' was right Tn de- lending his Scotch sisters and all his nei eieshbors, the Irish included, gave him due credit for his valor. Now the boot is on the other leg and "Plunk'' thinks those who say 1t pinches and insist that the sore spots be relieved are daft and need a little repairs on the upper story. If "Plunlz" claims the right to defend his people from any, thing which in his judgment Is offens- i've to them by what method of reason. ing does he justify denial of similar privilege to others?
 The trend of the age is towards a higher morality and greater deeency in all things. This is as true of the newspaper as of the people, says a trade paper. In the older days, when ecclesiasticism controlled the morals Of the people and directed Legislation there was an aphorism, "Like pastor like people," But in this age, the newspaper has most to do with direct ing the morals of the masses, as vel as their opinions, and it may be said of it. "As are the newsDapers, so are the people" The so-called newspa
  pers of George Wasmngtom's day were filled with bil1ingsgate Many ot them were vile. some were filthy ant none of them were free from offensive personalities. The "Father of Hi. Country" was unquestionably the mos abused man who has lived in this na ton. The papers of his day charged against him offenses of the gravest ma tlIre, seriously directed aoaiTst hi, moral character and his integrity al man. For many years after tn, elder Bennett started his paper dS37 the Herald, and it's contemporaries al most without exception, were full O strietures against public men ant abounded in news and other storie which could hardly find a place to-da, in papers, even, which are termed f'yel low" The age has gone beyond thi sort of thing. The people will no I01.. IT IT.