The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-12-03

the weak n the distressed. Hitter
ate we have been; put ignorant,
never. Books we have not known;
but Of men we have learned, and Of
God We have sought to find out. A
gentle people and open frank and
courteous. passionate when aroused,
and dangerous in conflict; capable OF
sacrifice, among warriors the first
praised by men as warriors only be-
cause Of the high courage manifested
there. giving promise OF the wonderful
achievements which lie before us in
peace.
Stories OF Charles L. Aycock.
The booklet program contains in
teresting stories concerning ex-Gov-
ernOr Aycock and these will interest
both the children and the grown-ups.
As they give intimate touches of his
life. Here are three Of them given
as part Of the booklet:
Aycock's FIRST Political Speech.
When Charles Aycock was a small
lad about ten or twelve, his fathers
house was a fayorite place for the
farmers Of the neighborhood to gather
and discuss politics. Young Charles
was too yOun to take any part in
these discussions, but he always lis
tened closely. though he did not al
ways understand what the men wer
talking about. When ordered off to
bed, he would often slip out Of the
back window in his night clothes,
creep quietly aroun the house. hide
under the front porch steps, and lie
there quiet as a NOUS listening to
the words of the grOwn-ups.
When he was about twelve years
old, he heard the first political speech
Of his life. Two politicians, James W.
Durham and James Virgins, came to
Nahunta to have a debate.
Durham was an educated man With
a reputation as a good speaker. His
opponent. familiariy known as Jim
ilie' Virgins. was an flliterate man,
without respect for the Kings English
awkward in his n and ErOtesQue
in his delivery. Charles Aycock, boy
like. secured a seat immediately under
the speakers stand. Durham opened
the debate in his usual good style, but
his speech made no impression ON
young Aycock. But the moment Wig
gins began to speak, the boy riveted
his eyes upon him, followed every
gesture. and caught every word. He
missed nothing. No awkward move-
ment, az slang expression, no intOna-
ton OF voice. no facial contortion, es-
capped his attention, and upon his re-
turn home he astonished his family
by repeating the speech almost word
for word. For many a day after
that it was a fayOrite amusement in
that community to place young Ay-
cock on q goods box in the midst OF
an appreciative audience who cheere.1
and roared heartily as he repeated the
words and mimicked the tones and
gestures of Jimmie Virgins.
AycOck's Ffiendliness.
Aycock never lost his temper no
matter how hard a blow might be
A-~.-N~ 49, - --~,,-
calm, cool and self-controlled. He
struck hard blows but there was no
malice In them, and this enabled him
to preserve q close personal friendship
with many men whom he had to op-
pose in public life. The following
story Is told how his calmness and
kindness preserved his friendship
the University. This friend, who u.s.
ualiy was On the same side as Aycock,
was once opposed to him. He was
younger than Aycock and smaller
Something that Aycock said in the
debate made hila angry. and losing
cd: The gentleman mas stated wha'
is false: I repeat, SIR. what is false
Everybody expected to see Aycocl
lose his temper and retOrt with angr,
words that might lead to blows. Blu
he kept his temper and with com
plete s~eif-control arose and asked per
mission to interrupt the other.
II shall neyer forget Aycock'
words" declares the latter, "as h,
quietly said The gentleman has use.
language On this floor which he. wei
knows he would not have used BIZ
for his size and relations heretofor,
existing between U.S. I was, Of course
overwhelmed with shame, and replied
IT does not matter about my size, bu
it does max a very great deal OF dill
ference about relations. I spok
without thinking Or realizing what
Was saying. l retract the languag
n ask my friends pardon and 81
down in confusion. I had hardl
taken my seat before Aycock ha.
crossed the hall. dropped into tn
seat next to me. and putting his arm
around my shoulders. said: IT'S a
right, Jim. Don't let this worry yo,
I knew you didn't mean 1t, and
shan't affect our friendship"
1t didn't. Tho two men remaine
close and affectionate friends unit