The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-08-15
City VS.. Country Life.

City VS.. Country Life.
] : Irwin IN Charlotte u. c. Observer,
lis an old question, revived by a letter
that wondered why anybody could be con-
tent to stay in Charlotte or smaller places
when New York. Boston and other large
cities offer 50 much more broadening intiu
ences and % much greater facilities for
ambition. The letter came from man
who has lived in New York only a year or
50 and talks glibly about the various streets,
Weber x Field aud few well known
cafes. Men who know New York thor
ouchly and are known in that city do not
usually advise other people TO 60 there to
live. The metropolitan enthusiast Is the
new resident who viii never know one
tenth as many people as he knew in his
native village He becomes dazed by the
glare and glitter, the biz sounds and the
mad tumult, and calls all this a part Of
seeing aud learning aud living and broad
ening.
But Is the city life more broadening than
the life down here Does it give a man
a more comprehensive view of life This
question does net consider the genuine cos
mopulitan type-the man Of the world who
may i've in New York or anywhere, and
who l. broad because he has found how
utterly small he Is and simple because he
has learned that any manner other than
SIMPLICITY i absurd. But does the man
who leaves this section Of country, for in
stance. aud goes to New York TO live
does he enter broader or a narrower life?
Has he right to pity those that he left
behind
What does the city give the rank out
sider2 What profit does New York offer
the man from our midst who goes there to
live He Is swallowed up, lost from view
immediately. fur-saving a brilliant few
who ever heard Of a man who lived in New
York He Is tiny thing who rubs ell
bows with strangers. He sees millions Of
people every DAY, and Is lucky if he gets
an opportunity 70 study and TO know halt
4 dozen lie has no neighbors. In the
quick rush there i seant time for sympa-
thv. and his eyes. seeing no farther than
camera lens. can take no intimate account
Of the INTERCHANGEABLE pulsing human
nature that Is about tie Is on the out
side 5f everything little, worrying atom
that must 6ght 6ercely for space He
NAV make LOT of money and spend it ex-
travasau,ly. but who cares or who notices.
He NAV DO 4 very fine thing, but the man
who lives next door To him will never hear
If il The note Of his suffering or hi-
happiness l. not heard above the ceaSeles-
din. and hi. death will be no more than
the passing Of draw horse. He may sue
ct-,sfully pander to tastidious appstites, but
does he learn anything tina, is worth while
or DO ANYTHING that is endurable2 He Is
hurried in a rut, goaded too fast for rehec.
,iou. keyed up TO a point where he con
fuse. personal values Tie i a drop Of oil
in a mammoth machine, or, 10 change the
figure he reminds one Of bit of scurry
ing chaif in a maelstrom. Aye, who ever
heard OF a man in a city Aud YOU know
that the narrowest man who walks these
streets i, not the denizen Of Paw creek
but the man who has left Paw creek and
smirks complacently when he returns, after
having served premiership as galley slave
to metropolitan drudgery.
The man who is pItled-how does he
fare? He stays down here ana lives what
the world terms a small life but Is his liy-
ing A. narrowed as the city man thinks
His amusements are limited; he i apt to
do the same things day after day, and he
l. not apt to make a great deal OF money,
but he learns to know great many people
aud to love and be loved by few lie
Gets close to a scattered multitude that
finds time TO be quiet occasionally, and he
sees people not as they seem to be,
but as they are. If he Is happy there are
those who will rejoice with him. If he
suffers men reach out their hands and
touch him understandingly. Be he ever
50 small figure, his movements are not
unheeded; and his virtues as well sf his
sins are a matter Of public knowledge. Ii
he does anything that Is good and praise
worthy his community knows it and ap-
plauds, and he climbs not very high on the
ladder of fame before his State sees him
and mods approval.
Old men and old women stop him and
bless him in memory of his father and
mother: he knows countless number Of
babies. and his neighbors' dogs come out
and recognize him as a beloved friend.
The Joy of his acquaintance Is so near tc
him, so undisguised, that he is gladdened
with its radiance, and his eyes are wet in
thought of their sorrows He has time
for reflection, and he learns to know his
fellow man-know his strength and his
weaknesses; learns to commend the one and
condone the other On week days he
speaks to hundreds of people who call him
by his first name; on Sundays he worships
with a congregation that has known him
since he was a babe in arms. When he
grows old he is not in the way, and when
he dies men bring sympathy to his children
and declare a common loss. Maybe he,
too, has lived in rut, but he has lived
with his heart side throbbing; he has been
an integral part of the life that was builded
around him; and the best of him is pro
claimed while he lives and lives after he
dies
Both types are exaggerated, but which
of the two really lives the broader life?
In order to enjoy life to the utmost you
have some sorrows by which to make com'
parisons.