The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1912-06-13

| Lord Bacon, with other things
stated by him, said, that writing
makes perfect man. When the
word perfect is used there can be no
Improvement made on that, but sure
ly travel tends much to make the
rounded man or woman, In speaking
of the requirement of knowledge
One may travel in the countries
I: throughout the world and learn of
the geography of the country; see
, the works of art; he may observe the
degree Of civilization, the language.
literature and customs of the peo-
pie of those countries; but he is like
ly only to make observations in the
most populous centers where the
best elements are to be found, and
make his observations from the best
But after all it is in the rural and
isolated districts of this country and
, of all countries, where the greatest
population is to be found, and where
the great mass is to elevated,
thence, I contend that the one who
has travelled and made observation
Of the actual condition of mankind
and hence can tell more.
Any one who tries to can have a
fair knowledge about HIS own city
! or a poulous community but, how
| few of those persons know Of the
condition of the people of the coun-
try, of the hamlets and the mining
or manufacturing communities, even
| only a few miles away.
Then even O fair knowledge OF
the habits and Ways of people can
not be learned BY any one without
going into their homes, seeing what
they do, how they live, what they
think and what they talk. A drum
mer may make his frequent rounds
over a territory, and can tell about
| the merchants and the hotels, wheth-
! er the grub" is good or bad, wheth-
FER there are bedbugs in the beds or
not, but they know but little of the
customs Of their customers.
| The writer can not boast Of see
ing the lofty Rockies, climbing the
| Alps, gliding down the Nile and re-
l'fecting on the old civilization of
Egypt, standing about the ruins Of
ancient Athens, or Rome or Jerusa-
lem, or Of walking the streets Of
the great modern cities Of the differ
ent countries Of the world, but he
has spent years of his life in visiting
| On different errands, every family
| in whole cities, and in whole coun-
ties in the mountain region, Of this
| country.
He feels that it has been a great
means of acquiring knowledge Of
mankind, by eating and living with
people Of very different ranks in life.
1t has not only been source Of
learning much OF mankind but it
has been source Of great pleasure
ito me, while it Is true there we're
some discomforts met.
Humanity for Humanity.
Some might inquire what would be
the most striking thing to observe
In seeing people this way by the
Thousands. My answer would be
the honesty and honest intention Of
the people. l have great reason to-
|believe from my varied observation
among people that those who are not
honest are only small percent.
Then there is the friendly and hui
name treatment accorded strangers,
or callers at their homes, If he is
courteous and friendly himself and
adapts himself to conditions. 1t IS
remarkable the feeling OF human
| ity for humanity. Sometimes in
certain conditions I'VE are led to be-
] 1ieye that the most OF mankind are
dead-beats, cut throats and robbers.
However, this may apply to the busi-
ness man it does not apply to social
| man.
What have said OF the treatment
| Of people to q stranger will apply
ninety-nine cases out Of hundred
if the stranger performs his duty
well and is Judge OF human nature
And mark this down that even ig'
Inorant people are just about as gooo
Judges Of human nature as any, and
most will treat you right II you de
serve to be treated right. True
There are exceptions. The very ma
ture of some people Is that of a buzz
saw to every one they come in con
tact with. Then, II you are not al
Exception, you will meet callers your
; self in a different mood, at diHeren
times, according to the conditions O
your environments. AS all shoui'