Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-07

Who Celebrated 9th Birthday Today.
c. w. Halves was ushered into their
midst. The occasion of the surprise
was the majors 9th birthday anniver-
sary A short program was carried
out in the first floor rotunda, J. w.
Houder acting as chairman of the ex-
rciSes
F. o. Van Calder on behalf of the
employees presented Major Halves with
q great bouquet of 67 white and pink
carnations. In a happy address he
expressed the well wishes of the office
force for the head clerk and the de-
sire that he live to celebrate many
more such occasions. He said that
Zach flower represented year in his
career, and their combined fairness
and purity symbolized. too, the char
acter of the major
Department Heads Give Cigars.
J. F. Munger next took the floor
and on behalf Of the heads of the de-
partments presented Major Halves
With a box containing 100 fine cigars.
He accompanied the gift with the ad-
vice that as birthdays were proper
| times for making good resolutions. the
/ major smoke as hurriedly as possible
G7 of the cigars, and then@smoke the
| remainder at the rate of only one a
year, hoping that he would be per-
mitted plenty of time in which to
carry out this suggestion
|
| Major Halves Responds.
Major Halves bowed graciously to
the applause and responded with a
short talk He said that he deeply
| felt the kindness shown toward him
by the office force and hoped in return
| for their we'll wishes that they each
enjoy a happy year. He mentioned
the time wnen he was one of com
pany of So young men who marched
10 the front at the time of the civil
war, hopes high and pride unbounded
and of the sadness which accompanied
the return of the remnant of the little
band, numbering only half the former
number. He expressed his thanks tC
Providence that he had been spared
and permitted to enjoy the growth
of the society which he serves. He
said that he intends to put in another
hearty and hale year in his office do
ing better work if possible than a
any time before.
| AT the conclusion of his remark:
Mr.. Houder called for three cheer.
which were Justify given.
Don't shove"
F. o. Van Calder, editor of tn,
Modern Woodman read a poem en-
titled Don't Shove or &C. w. H. OF
Old Age. He explained that tn,
theme of the poem was suggested t.
lin by verses recited by the major
while apparently asleep, on their re
turn trip Thursday from Kansas Cit,
III a sleeper. Following is the poem
Gee! I'm tired of all this talking
ABOUT age and advancing years,
| And how to keep a-going
| through this vale of tears.
When fellow, passing sixty
| Goes at seventy with a bluff
And they talk all patronizing,
Just like he had enough
They will ask, How are you feeling .
seem surprised like when you saw
You feel fresh as a red robin
In the spring, that's come to staV
Then they'll roll their eyes to heaven
Like as If that was the road
And that you ought to be a-leavin'-
Sort o drop this earthly load.
What's the use of all such longing
For the shoes the old ones wear?
What's the-use of all this showing?
Gosh! ii almost makes me swear
But I'm not one of the old men,
And for this I'm thanking heaven;
For last was only sixty-six
And this is siXty-seven
At Major Halves wish the cigar
were passed among the employees, an
4 ne will be easily able to dispose {
the remainder in short time.
0QiTIIApv