The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-24
says UNCLE CAV

We don't hear so much about the life
beautiful as we used to. That may
be a good thing-most of what we heard
of it wasn't elevating. 1t didn't uplift
"us, because it hadn't enough red-blood-
ed virility in it to lift anything. 1t only
made most of us sick-hguratively and
literally, The sickest of us were those
who took the advice of the mollycod-
die ministers of the impractical.
The life beautiful is the life useful.
To lead it one doesn't get away from
the ordinary things. He doesn't fix his
eyes on the clouds only to stumble
into mud puddleS. He gives an occa-
sional glance at the road, and when
he comes to a puddle, instead of falling
into it Or walking around, he drains
it and fills it up, and then goes out to
reprove. as mildly as may be, the pub
lie authorities for their neglect.
That's the life beautiful, the dra-
matte poetry of existence, the same
being written quite as often with the
pick and shovel as with the pen or
the typewriter.
To the healthy person there was
never anything beautiful in the amaze
mic milksop, who IS so enamored OF
the theories of the metaphysicians that
he couldn't find time to earn the where
with to buy beefsteak. There isn't any
thing inspiring in the conduct or COM
partnership of him who is so busy shut
ting his ears to the crying facts of
life that he can't see the hand of an
unfortunate fellow outstretched for help.
The life beautiful is neither blind
nor a hermit. 1t is neither a pharisee
nor a poltroon. 1t is in constant cleo
trio touch with other lies about it, and
it is rosy with vigorous vitality. 1t is
capable, efficient, active, Splendidly
alive. Its beauty is that of the athlete,
the finished workman, the artistic gen.
Jus. of doors and workers all. 1t is
he 10 n "a
of motherhood, it blooms in the coun-
tenance of him who smites the ribs of
earth for Sustenance for his children.
1t is wrought into the steel Of railways,
the brick and stone of skyscrapers, 1T
is heard in the crackle of the wireless,
it gilds the wing of the aeroplane, it
is transferred to the canvas of him
who paints the thing as he sees it,
glorified or painted in words in the
works of them that strive to catch
little of the surprising wonder of Gre
alton and save it for men of lesser
vision.
There is but one recipe for the life
beautiful-we have had it with US for
a matter of 1900 years and most of
us have overlooked ft-"Whatsoever thy
hand f1ndeth to do, do it with thy
might Might" there means inspira-
ton, as it always does when the word
is used in connection with the word
work"
1t is good at times to lift ones eyes
to the clouds. Thus we rest them in
order to bring them fresh to the plain
and kindly things about us. things
beautiful in their familiarity and in
their usefulness. But the cloud gazer
must not lose the power of recalling
his vision to the ground. There lies his
work and his temporal salvation.
The life that disdains ordinary things
is empty and an attenuation. Its men
tally becomes like a jaded palate that
can taste only strange spices. Such an
appetite slowly, but surely, starves it's
possessor to death. Those who live
on fine spun theories finally know the
horrors of soul starvation. The life
beautiful is the life useful.-(Copyright,
1913. by the Mcclure Newspaper Syndi-
cate.)