The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-04-30
Calls Attention Nghbor That Out In Kansas City Running
|. p. Norton. An Appreciation.

they have dOne than Dy WI
they have been What man does is
largely the outgrowth of opportunity;
what a man is he is to himself and TO
his friends. The first results in
achievement aud is often superficial
and unmerited opportunity is ALL the
other results in character and is the
highest attainment OF philosophy and
religion We esteem men for whit
they have done if they have done it
themselves and done it well; We love
them for what they are If they are
worthy Of our love.
There were many things that combiu-
ed to make Mr. Norton's life an admir-
able one. lie was well poised. There
was no afectaton in his court
esy, there was no pedantry in his cul-
ture He was devout without cant and
generous without ostentation
He was man of principles at the
same time that be was man OF the
world. He kept his own faith while he
was never bitter towards others who
| forfeited theirs. OF those who had de
ceiyed him or wronged him he never
spoke. He was firm in his friendships
and loyal to his friends.
His good business Judgment he de
rived from his father, Julius Norton,
who was a prominent man OF affairs in
this community But Luman p Nor
ton had too many sides to become rich.
He had too sympathetic heart He
/ flowed in too many directions to care
to amass wealth He was generous
man. His friends felt his kinduesses
and were grcatful The poor were OF
/ ten relieved by his silent gifts and
knew not whom to thank but God.
Many will now learn for the first time
who was their nameless benefactor,
since death has shortened his arm
that he may not aid them. His hand
is withered and his stream is dry. OF
course he came in contact with some
~of his benefciaries As soon as it be-
came publicly known that he had pass
ed away, people began coming to the
house that they might be permitted TO
look on his face. No one knew them.
They were perhaps some whom he had
befriended, coming to take a last leave
of their gentle benefactor.
His conversation was always agree.
able and was absolutely without the
faint OF impropriety or coarseness. 1t
might be said Of him as It was of Mil
ton that "a certain reservedness of
nature, an honest haughtiness and
self esteem, kept him above those low
descents OF mind.
He was q mau of refined tastes. He
liked the best things His library
shows the inllue4ce OF a mature cul-
ture; it contains the books that mould
noble lives and give a wide horizon to
the intellectual life He was the best
Judge of modern paintings in this sec
ton of the country, without talking
much OF ancient or Italian a?t for
there was never trace of egotism or
assumption in him, nor could he endure
It in others-he bought what he liked
and delighted to have his friends see
them and admire them.
There was no intolerance in his re
lieious belief. Himself devout, he
never sought TO impress upon others
the dogmas of his church. His attach
ment to the church WIS sincere and OF
ancestral origin, but he made no un-
due display of it, Ills generosity to
wards st Peters church stimulated the
generosity OF others and it is to his
initiative that we owe the assured pros
pect of new church ediice.
1t is great deal to say of man
that he is loyal in his friendship and
yet loyalty is the very essence and
marrow of friendship. Few pers ons
are actually capable of this sentiment,
because but few people have the neces
sary amount of loyalty in their char
acter. Those who were his friends and
had occasion to test his friendship
found that they were not relying on a
broken reed but on the firm, constant
lovaltv that Uae ia hi
A loving husband, generous
father, genial friend, good citizen,
he was respected by all, admired b.
those who knew him and beloved by
all with whom he came into direct and
intimate association. He was firm in
his convictions and while keenly sem
sitive to unjust criticism or antagon-
ism, however casual, he was yet strong
and not to be easily swayed from his
purpose
But he mas gone. Those of us who
knew him may well learn to be true and
earnest, ashe was.
sin that same lot, however mean on
high,
Towards which time leads us and the
will of Heaven"
One of his Friends.
.
/.