The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1909-07-02
OIrT on Moons


Everybody longs to be out of doors
during the summer months as much as
possible and enjoy the glories and
comforts of nature in its multifarious
forms. Did you ever stop to think that
the thing about nature which soothes
is its perfect impartiality? AS Lowell
long ago so beautifully put it: "Only
Heaven can be had for the asking"
That Is why the thousands, especially
those who work in office and factory,
in the big and smaller cities as WELL
like to hike" away from them as ear
ly and as much as possible at this
season of the year and under the shade
of the trees in park or on the grassy
river bank or wooded glen drink in
and feast on the things that are with.
out money and without price and yet
incomparably precious. No one can
buy blue sky, clear pure air, or spark.
ling water and the fresh foliage paled
in the sunlight and deepened in the
shadows is as truly for one as for an.
other. Nature plays no favorites.
Heaven In the bestowal of it's gifts al
ways gives a square deal. Tired souls,
worn from the crushing heel of strong.
er competitors in life's battles, find an
undisputed peace, satisfaction that
is far beyond the power of words to
express, in roaming over and possess.
ing for themselves the public parks or
the secluded but wealthy spots near
river bluff or fen. Here the flowers,
the grasses and the trees as they nod
their graceful heads in kindly recogni.
ton of each passing breeze or become
radiant and all-glorious under the
suns benignant rays, smile upon each
face alike and gladden. the heart of
struggling toiler and .careworn mag.
nate in the same way. 1t is a wonder.
full thing, this grand annual exhibition
of the seasons to which no admission
fee is charged! What rest the sum.
mer evenings and the summer Sun
days bring to earth's tired folks!
What a contrast and a relief to the
ordinary routine of business and So
cial life they bring! For six days in
the week humanity has the experience
of walking on "other peoples grounds"
of living gin other peoples houses"
but on the day of rest-Sunday-th
public parks and roadways and unmo.
Tested hooks bring relief and gladness
and self poise to countless thousands
through this and other lands. Is it
strange that there is growing de-
mand for parks and play grounds?
1t is the cry of humanity for that
justice and freedom and untrammeled
gladness which all alike crave. 1t is
one of the highest and truest compen.
sations of life that If the fields are
little greener for one than for another,
If the daisy by the roadside speaks a
language more eloquent to a Burns
than to king upon his throne, If the
stars Gin the infinite meadows of heav.
en-" are more truly "the for.get-me-nots
of the angels" to the simple maiden
Evangeline than they are to a queen
of society, it is because having fewer
of this worlds goods, the simple folk
have less to worry them and heart
and mind more ready and willing to
appreciate them. The best "cozy cor.
ners" are those provided under the
great archway of the blue sky, in the
out-of-doors. Let us enjoy the rest,
the comfort and the inspiration which
they afford. The best ally of right
thinking and kindly living to be found
wherever there is congested popula.
ton are the public parks. The great
est blow to anarchy, the surest friend
to real freedom are the "open spaces"
where humanity can drink in, for
short time, the glories of the natural
things about and each tired heart and
brain can get surcease from the
grind"
The quiet, brief outings of the sum.
mer time, in parks and elsewhere,
which convince us of natures splendid
generosity of gifts and her absolute
impartiality in their bestowal do more
than all else to demonstrate to us,
each and all that God is in His heav-
en-, all is right with the world" And
in that thought humanity finds an
everlasting anchor for its faith and
patience and brotherhood.