The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-12-05
ELBERr HUBBARD.
Bx FLORA STEWART EMORY.

ASAN - q ~ dS % yAhS W thS SASSe
that fools dare were angels fear to
tread.
Some one asked me one day if I
had read Tie Philistine. I had not.
I admit it now to my shame. I had
heard of Elbert Hubbard and knew
he was the editor of this clever mag
azine. / knew, too, he was a man
whom other editors called bad names.
This in itself should have made me
read his writings since I was rather
sore on the subject of editors in gen.
eral.
Like the sweetest of belated sum-
mer winds tiny desire was born in
my breast. / would publish my own
stories yes, and they should be done
by The Roycrofters whom 1 had
heard did beautiful work. I did not
know they only published Little
Journeys and the other wares they
sold. Ignorant creature that I was
to be contemplating a literary career |
/ wrote to them and the answer
came from Elbert Hubbard. 1t was
kind, courteous Elbert Hubbard like.
He said he was surely interested in
my booklet but regretted they could
not do the work for me. The letter,
of course, was typewriter but was
signed in his own masterful hand
writing.
l knew, then, he was the father of
this Utopia-like settlement and little
by little remembered all had heard
of The Roycrofters.
By and by a book came to me, a
sort of catalogue of the Roycrofters'
books and few remarks by the
founder of this community. 1 read
that article which so fully explains
their workings-no, not I but my
mother, and as she read aloud her
voice trembled.
Our eyes met as she laid down the
bock-we smiled, then we cried.
After that we both felt better. In
that brief moment, OK was it during
all the time she was reading? an in
spiration came to me, my head be-
came clearer, my brain fresher, my
heart cleaner. 1 may never meet FL
bert Hubbard but my spirit knows
him, my soul went out to him and
when it returned it was laden with
good cheer and loftiness of purpose.
The article that so stirred us is
called IAN Industrial and Social Ex-
pertinent. There is absolutely moth
ing emotional about it. Plain facts
told in a simple, straightforward way
are certainly not emotional.
Yet something, I know not what,
first thrilled me with ecstasy, then
flooded my whole being with the rap
ture born of hope. To recognize and
respond to the power of this great
man is to feel ones whole being has
been refreshed.
The catalogue is unlike any other
l have ever seen. 1t is an exquisite
piece of art. In it are elegant little
pictures Of the Roycrofters' chapel
and the different points of interest.
There, too, is Baba, Baba defying the
meat trust and pictures of this like
Christ man. He and his son stand
together, the fathers arm thrown
over the broad magnificent shoulders
of his son.
Two working men in baggy trou-
sers, coarse shirts and no coats. Their
hair is long, not to the shoulders but
about the ears and it is parted at the
side. Their hands are rough, the
veins stand up heavy and strong.
They are MEN, not men.
God has given me other work to
do but could l do as bids my heart l
would join this band of Philistines.
There l would need no other recon-
mendation than to truthfully say
Gilbert Hubbard, want to work in
your shop and aOhate0ey I do, I mil
do tile very best I can" Prom Boston
Ideas.