Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-02
THE OTHER MANS POINT OF VIEW

for their youngsters when they come and
grow up as they need. And they il be
happy. too. That's all they want. And
here's the point I want you to keep in
mind, friend. that I've give that boy and
that girl the best possible schoolin' for en-
all they need. and not too much. not SO
much anyway as to make 'em dissatisfied"
The City Man remained silent when the
Farmer ceased. He threw away his cigar
and shifted his seat and thought. The
Farmer soon spoke again:
'Mebbe I'm deprivin' the world Of a cou-
pie Of geniuses by not sending 'em to the
academy over to Thompsonville and
headin EN- out your direction. Mebbe
they'd enjoy your electric cars and the
aters and picnic-every-day sort Of life. and
your chances to make lots of money-and
to spend it. Mebbe SO! Who knows7 But
l do know that as long as they don't want
it they're better of without it. Eh?'
reasoning had begun to appeal to him.
In all his month OF vacation loafing on
the farm, trying to rest from the marrying
hurryfng life Of the metropolis. he had not
relished now the realization that the other
mans philosophy had eluded him thereto
fore.
II suppose" he said. half musingly.
boy and the girl their chance to get out
and make moro Of themselves than farm
foIks?''
Certain. friend. certain. Wife and I
Always I8lk tnIn&8 0v0f Win tnS young
sters. We take 'em into our confidence.
You see. we've got time to do It. Some
how or other I've got the notion that you
city folks don't always have the time. or
take the time. to do this. Year before last
or 1t may have been the year before
that-we had q family out here from town.
father and mother and three half-grown
children. Why. give You my word. sir.
that not one OF that crowd knew what any
Of the others did half the time. Split upy
Why. they jest naturally few apart like
bunch Of pigs when you jump into the
middle Of the lot and scare 'em. They was
SO busy enjoyin' themselves playin' and
loafln' they never had time to ask each
other howdy in the mornin'. 1 made bold
to speak to the old man about 1t one day
and sort of tried to find out why It was
He took it natural and said twas the way
most city folks do-too rushed. we know
tions think he said. Well. that set me
to thinkfn', and I said to Marthy that
night t II city folks hadn't no time to be
sociable in the family I'd rather stay on
the worms did get into my fruit and my
pigs did die of cholera and my springs did
dry. Ye see, friend. we're Twin this life
now, and it's a good life If you make 1t so.
we farm folks can get along on less and
get more out Of it n you can in town.
Does the boy think 80. too?'
They was youngster lived over near
without relevance. who took 1t into his
head to go to town and get to be a book
keeper for big house dealin' in dry goods
he'd heard of from a drummer chap who
come through. Cyrus Jones' boy, twas. He
went to town. and sure enough his drum
mer friend got him the Job and he went to
work-ye see he'd took a course to the Elby
High School and knew fggers and SUCH
He done right good for q season. Used to
come home occasional, lookin real spry:
give his pap money once or twice; helped
his Ma to new winter dress: done right
good. Cy Jones' boy. for spell; Then all Of
in a wind. Never heard from him. Used
to ask Cy bout his boy whenever I'd see
him. Cy'd sort of shy or and talk about
something else. Then got to thinkin' some
along a spell. and one day I met Cy down
to Thompsonville. Something in his face
told me I'd ought to speak to him about
the boy. So I done it.. Cy's face went
to tumble in his pockets like he couldn't
see clear, and finally he hauled out bit
of newspaper and handed 1t to me-"
The roam logged on and both men were
looked quickly around to his companion
and, laying his broad. hard hand upon the
others knee. said. earnestly:
1T borrowed that newspaper piece from Cy
didn't say anything jest showed it to him.
He'd been bit restless for spell, We
know. Next day he come to me and said,
Pap, I'm all right now. want to stay
right here That was all there was to 1t:
Jest said, Pap, 1 want to stay right here.
Again there was pause, pregnant with
meaning. The City Man looked of over the
landscape, now dotted with signs OF closer
habtation. After while, in low tone. he
said:
"And yet some Of our very best workers
come to us from out in the fields. Don't
think we ruin all you send to u.s."
mo, friend, know you don't. know 1t
we'll But I was jest sayin' my boy don't
want to take chances. And he's happy
here suppose when he gets little older
he'll be after me to get telephone put in
my house. and he'll take more papers'n l
take and read more books. And he won't be
a bit worse for 1t and his cropsll probably
be biggern mine. He'll go to town oftener'n
I do. and see more and learn more. Meboe
he'll take to politics and make a hit Who
knows7 But I'll lay it to you now he won't
never rush through his life and break his
neck catchin' trains and meetin' engage
.nents. He'll probably live longer'n your
boy, II you've got one. He won't have to
go to the country to get rested up He
won't get what they call insomny, thinkln
of stocks and that sort"
They were now driving through a village.
Far off in the east. a whistle sounded. the
City Man pulled out his watch and smiled.
Good time!' he calculated. Didn't think
that old horse would make it.
"Oh, we make IT. most Of the time" re-
piled the Farmer. chuckling. I'VE don't
miss 'em often"
They drew up at the station platform and
unloaded the trunk and after the City Man
had bought his ticket and checked his bag
gage he stood by the wagon chatting while
the train ran down the line.
Had a good timer" asked the Farmer.
Enjoyed yourself?'
Zine! Enjoyed every minute OF it. But
I want to tell You now that think my
most profitable time was this last half hour.
I want to say that you've opened my eyes
a bit. I'll probably plunge into the game
and rush and hustle from the minute
strike town. I can't help 1t. It's In the
blood It's in the air. I'll run for street
cars and trains and grab my paper and
swallow my meals IN a hurry and wear
myself out worrying about business. but all
the while I'll be thinking. now and then. Of
you and your boy. Tell him to come down
and see me. Let him see how the other
folks live. Give him one more chance to
decide"
'Mebbe So" answered the Farmer. as he
shook hands heartily with his departing
guest. "Mebbe so. But can't answer for
\ L>sH IL