The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1908-11-12
= My Friend. i

/ have friend. He is nay friend and
your friend. Am jealous because you
call him friend? Not so, sir. He 70
your friend as well as my friend, and
friend to all just as he is your friend.
This arouses your curiosity, and you are
wondering aoho is my friend-your
friend everybody's friend. You cannot
think for the life of you who it is have
in mind. Now, can you? You shall
know, for am about to tell you.
He is that man who always greets me
with smile. There is nothing super
fetal about that smile, and it won't wear
OF, either. It wears we'll. / have known
it long time, and life would indeed lose
some portion of it's charm if were rob-
bed Of it, though / still had my friend.
He clasps my hand warmly, eagerly and
firmly, and as he gazes steadily into the
depths OF my eyes and as gaze into his
he gives my hand squeeze that speaks
more than words can. Is there anything
affected about that handshake? Not
that l have ever discovered; not that
any man knows of. In truth, there is
not. 1t is true that there is kindly feel
ing in it and an expression of the hearts
fullness Of love for his brother man
those who are worth the while. There is
much in the firm hand clasp" shaking
hands," as we term it-and | am most
sure Of my friends devotion and sim
certify after I have shaken hands with
him.
I see him only occasionally. When I
meet him he looks me steadily in the
eye without seeing the freckles and scars
of my face. He shakes hands and never
discovers the callousness OF my hand.
We converse, and there is never an evil
thought, never word of scurvy gossip,
never slur cast upon the good name Of
one absent. My friend knows not these
things. He is pure in mind, and has
care in the selection of his words and
the arrangement Of his speech. To con-
verse with him, sir, is elevating.
Do love this hearty good fellow-my
friend--as / should? can answer you
in just these two words: do. He is
my mentor, my comforter, my inspira-
ton to all in life that is sweet and en-
nobling. With him am happy and the
days go by like song. Without him !
am unhappy and the days drag. With
him as companion I can accomplish
my life's hardest tasks. Without his
kindly smile, his encouraging nod and
his friendly slap on my back, l am
failure. 1t is true. And, when you are
in I'm shoes" this is true of you, too, sir.
| So you will see that to me my friend
is all. l count on him for much.
WHO IS HE? Who is this great and
good man in whom feel such keen
interest? Who is my friend your
friend - ererybody's friend? All, my
dear reader, guess. There is no secret
about this, though. You know as |
know. But if you are afraid you do not,
/ shall tell you. He Is your aeighbor.
He is to be found in this community
lyour community = under all skies =
throughout Gods enlightened kingdom
Everywhere. Yes, sir; he is one Of
the best fellows that ever lived, and you
and l know it. He is thorough gen.
tlemen and one Of Gods noblemen.
i Have you found your friend as have
found minef Do you knoac your friend
as know mine? II not, you are not
getting all out Of life that you should
| Go now, sir, and learn to know YOU
neighbor- your friend. D.A.s.