The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-01

Inc days we count to make the year,
are simply lost, unless we reap
In harvest of the days gone by,
some friendships that we loving keep.
c. D. Nichols, one of the veteran clerks
In the Topeka pension Office, was hand
ed by him to Gen. Wilder S. Metcalf
last evening as the employees were say
ing goodby following the transfer OF
the office to A. w. Smith of Mcpherson.
Ihere were tears in the eyes OF the
old soldier and the eyes of the young
sololer who is giving up the office ar
ter over eight years of brilliant service
were not dry.
Gen. Metcalf was treated to an agree
able and genuine surprise. He had Just
surrendered his chair at the big desk
in the private office in the federal
building to Mr.. Smith. He had compile
ted an explanation of the duties and
was just ready to leave when the clerks
and employees began crowding in with
the evident purpose of saying goodby.
A smile of pleasure lighted up the face
OF the outgoing agent and he beamed
upon the men who have for years been
his friends as well as associates and he
read in every face genuine regret that
he was leaving.
Then o. B. Martin stepped forward
and handed him little package which
contained a beautiful gold watch with
Mr.. MetcalfS monogram on the out
side cover and the following inscrip-
ton on the inside: Presented to Gen.
Wilder S. Metcalf by Clerks in U. S.
Pension Agency, Topeka Kan, S-31-
TO-"
Mr.. Martin then delivered the follow
ing address:
General Metcalf: For more than
eight years we have had the pleasure
of toiling with you in this temple built
by our great government for the use
of it's people. Our association has not
been that of Master and Slave, not
Boss and Servant, but that of gentle
men working together under a. first
class management in a glorious cause.
with a chief clerk second to none,
and a staff of frst-class people, you
have deserved to succeed, and have
shown yourself fully competent to
stand at the head of such a class;
therefore I have been requested by the
office force to present you with this to-
ken Of our sincere regard and high APP
probation of your many kindnesses,
shown us in the past. Take it and
wear it, not for its intrinsic value alone,
but SO that in the coming years when
you look upon its face you will be re-
minded of the hearts that shall ever
beat true.
Not many years ago a young boy
ran barefooted over blue grass carpet,
through the beautiful hills and wales
of northern Ohio. His life differed
but little from that of the ordinary
boy. About the time this boy began
to assume the responsibilities of man
hood he heard the call of Kansas.
After bidding goodbye to the child
hood scenes, he came west and ear
nestly began a life of commerce. Some
years after this the whole nation was
startled; the cry came of war. When
the call came for troops this boy re-
sponded with all the zeal and earnest
ness of his young manhood, after
which we behold him upon the waves
M old NJ nj mol nl W.
waste. Next We see him leading his
troops into successful battle upon the
burning sands of the equator. But
when peace was restored he came
home and resumed the even tenor of
his way. Then a call came from Wash
ington, and upon answering he was
entrusted with a most sacred message
that of demonstrating in part the
gratitude of a great government to
the remainder of the grandest army
that ever offered their lives in the
cause of liberty; yea, more blessed still
was the privilege of quieting the cry
of the orphan and binding up the
wounded hearts of the widows. May
your time be long upon the earth.
But when you come to start own
the afternoon of life that stretches
away to the night, may you be sus-
tanned by the inspiration that comes
of a well-spent life. May you succeed
in finding the lost chord, and in the
beauty of harmony be led by the hand
of the Master across the dark waters
into the fields beyond where you shall
hear a voice saying, Well done thou
good and faithful servant; thou hast
been faithful over a few things. will
make thee ruler over many"
General Metcalf was evidently over
come. He tried to talk and his voice
broke with emotion and then he gave
it up. He said afterward that he has
never before owned a gold watch.
There were hearty handshakes and
fearful farewells and then the en-
ployees filed out of the room.
A. w. Smith began his duties as
pension agent this morning. He has
moved his family to Topeka and they
will live at 1874 Harrison street. He
is one of the best known men in Kan
sas. He has served several terms as
speaker of the Kansas house of repre-
entatives and was a candidate for
governor during Populist times