The daily Gate City., 1912-02-09
JASPER BLINES' JOTTINGS

some consolation in these days Of zero
visitation. The paper of that date said
it was surely sizzler for q June day;
At half past one this afternoon the
temperature was 80 degrees, the hots
test for this spring. Several days IN
the latter part of May over ninety de-
grees were registered. observer
;Gosewisch said that the temperature
would reach the hundred mark before
the afternoon Was over. Fort Madl-
son reported 100 degrees this after-
noon at 2 o'clock
One Of the most touching events in
the life, and service of Abraham LIN
coin occurred in the very early days
of his existence. Hay and Nicolay
We're very closely associated with the
President, and were free to ask OF
many events Of his experiences in
public and private affairs. The histor-
ians tell Of asking the President what
he remembered about the war with
Great Britain. He replied Nothing
but this: had been fishing -one day
and caught a little fish which was
taking home. met a soldier in the
road, and having been always told at
home that we should be kind to the
soldiers. gave him my fish," Little
Abe on that day was five or six years
old, but this small record shows his
goodness and greatness even at so
early period of his life. The ium-
mary of fame sent forth it's rays
which should shine on and on in In
creasing brightness to the admiration
and astonishment of all the world.
George Washington delivered his coun-
try to freedom and Abraham Lincoln
delivered his country to new birth
of freedom a freedom from its own
tyranny over its own people.
On Saturday, February II, meet
ing of the officials and taxpayers Of the
Des Moines and Mississippi levee dis
trict will be held in Alexandria. This
convention will be the regular annual
meeting of the chartered organization,
and a couple of new officials will be
elected. This is an important enter
prise, as it has mission to protect
from high water invasion of the Des
Moines especially, and also of the
Mississippi and Fox rivers. Then, in
addition, there is an internal enemy
OF vast proportions which must be
dealt with. This is the flood or rain
water from the uplands between Way
land and st. Francisville, which have
a drainage area Of some twelve square
miles. A debt OF considerable magni-
tude is involved, and tax rates within
the territory are important to the
land owners. An exemption OF six
years from flood invasion has helped
our valley to regain it's former rank
and confidence, and like Lincoln when
he found himself five hundred dollars
in debt on account of defaulting
partner in their store at New Salem.
we propose also to pay our national
debt"
As to the robin which was observed
in Keokuk last Sunday would say
that the visitor was quite likely a
storm-bound straggler between the
regular lines OF travel, something sim
liar to the citizen Old Burns at the
battle OF Gettysburg. Old Burns was
patriotic and persisted in taking a
musket and entering the regular union
ranks in his anxiety to shoot the
enemies of the republic. The early
robin also will do patriotic service to
its county in the way Of cheerful sere-
nades in home yards, parks and forest.
Those who are writing of the
Methodist Episcopal church and its
great principles should learn that the
church is dedicated to spiritual chris
tianity. and not to forms, ceremonies,
compromises and amusements of a
worldly character. A spiritual chris
tian does not indulge in cards and sill
ly amusements, while so-called
church member seeks such. Christ's
kingdom is not of this world; it is
spiritual. To belong to denomina-
ton is one thing, but to be OF Christ s
true church is quite different Let US
be governed by the compass and stand
ards Of Christ and know our moral
latitude,
JASPER BLINEs.
Seven Pines