The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-12-09

years an enthu.isat on civic improve
mont and sanitary science. recently
wrote for this paper . column and .
halt article pointing out the enor-
nous advertising advantages to =
ofty whore In its citisens took pride
IN maintaining the neatest appear
ance OF their premises. and assisting
An tho preservation of public health.
The article pointed out what unfa-
vorable impressions were created In
ths minds OF visitors by untidy front
yards and unkept lawns. "Observ-
or" a. the author Of ths article sign
"a himself. for obvious reasons. told
his fellow citizens many things about
tumble down fences. unhinsed gates.
unsightly yards. and pointed out that
whiio all things 'unsightly are not
neoessariiy unsanitary. that never
thsIsss unsightly premises sAvored Of
lack Of civic pride. over pientifulness
of real estate. unprofltableness OF
owning vacant realty. and wound mp
his article with o scientific discourse
about germa obedience to health
raleaL sto. The article attracted con-
slderable attention. "Yes''. said "Ob-
ssrvsr' to . Daily Item reporter. 1T
attracted more attention than had
hoped for" Observer was OBJ
served Saturday hard at work raking
MP and putting out leaves from his
'front.' yard.
Being asked TO unfold his tale Of
woes Observer" mournfully said
shat article attracted the attention
of my wife. After reading II she re-
marked that tho aricle contained
many truthful and valuable hints.
Said she. MIR. Smell. the Chamber OF
Commerce secretary must have writ
ten that article. or perhaps II was
written by Health Officer Darr."
Now right there was exemplifed
tho old adage that pride goeth be-
fore a fall" Although II I had
"tumbied" 10 what was In her mind
might have been up street right now
discussing the proposed commission
form OF government for Sumter. and
fehlng my opinion about how to run
the city government. how to build
better streets. or engaged In pointing
out n number Of things that the po-
lice force could do. etc.
But. with the proverbial conceit Of
man. and actuated by desire. that
all married men have. to appear
brilliant or original In his wife's es-
timation. I proudly owned up that
was the only and original observer"
of the aforesaid civic Improvement
article.
Night before last. my better haif''
remarked that any man who had
such hne ideas about civic improve
ments. and who could feel so enthu-
sias,ic over the commendable efforts
OF the ladies' OF the Sumter Civic
League. and who could write such ar
ticies ought to be first class and
handy man around the house. "You
should practice what you PREACH"
said she. "and set a good example to
all married men,"
Since yesterday morning I have
cleaned up the entire premises. re-
built four pannels OF fencing. re-
hung two gates. cleaned out the
chicken coop. cut down cart load
Of big leafed plants which die down
I'm the winter. and voluntarily come
again In the spring. polished up three
trash burners" fixed up two fire
screens. and have been down TO the
stores and wash woman dozen
times on messages. and otherwise put
I'm a day and half OF Roosevelt
strenuosity.
am mighty glad that our baby Is
eleven years OF age. or might have
had TO push n baby carriage around
some.
III I had Just been satisfied 10 let
Smell. or Darr have the credit for
writing that article would not have
had TO work so hard while am
resting up for n few days. think
that Secretary Smell needs a little
demonstrating any how. like am
now receiving. Maybe ne wouldn't
be 80 "voluminous" about civic i'm
provement next time he breaches.
But I propose TO let all married
Health Officer Darr and Secretary
Smell do the "Ifot Air" stunts about
civic Improvement articles. Don't