Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1913-07-24
The Home Circle
Thoughts from the Editorial Pen


A man dreamed one night, and
perhaps because it lay nearer to his
heart than most things, he dreamed
of an automobile. 1t appeared to
him, in his dream, thing of intelli-
gence, subtle persuasive power, of
elusive charm. He tried to turn a
deaf ear, but the soft chug of its
appeal came around on the listening
side, and whispered to him, 20, man.
wouldst thou speed as the shooting
star in heaven? Then possess me. :"
Common sense came to him at
this moment, and interrupted the an
tomobile and said: do you know
what this is that persuades you? 1t
is that which man Graves, even to
the sacrifice of his immortal soul.
1t Is that which man possesses by any
means in his power. 1t is that which
creates covetousness in the heart of
man. 1t usurps the place of home,
wife and children. 1t is that which,
being possessed, possesses man."
But the man dismissed Common
Sense from his presence, mortgaged
his home and bought an automobile.
the soft, purring thing that had be-
guiled him. Il am a philanthropist," :"
the thing conveyed to him by auto
suggestion. (Forgive.) Il will in
spire in you, o man, a love for all
humanity. You will go up and
down the highways and byways.
picking up the poor, the maimed, the
lame. the halt, the blind. You will
develop heart of wax. You will be
unable to pass a living creature
without the impulse to help it along,
to make the day more livable."
So they went out into the high
ways, the machine and the man, on
their mission of mercy.
They saw man of years sitting
upon the grass by the roadside. Be-
side lay a bundle that he had car
ried for many miles. His shoes were
worn, his clothes were shabby, weari-
ness and encouragement were writ
large upon his face, as though the
burden were almost more than he
could carry farther.
81 will give him a lift" the man
said, but the machine sped by.
In the road a little way ahead
were two or three youngsters on
their way home from school. They
were barefooted and their clothes
were patched.
Perhaps they have never ridden
in a machine before. l will give
them a treat" said the man.
But, instead, he sounded his horn.
and they scattered to the side of the
road like frightened chickens as the
car went on it's way.
They came upon a couple. plainly
dressed. The man bore a baby in his
arms, while small child clung to
the mothers hand, and dragged it's
little feet reluctantly. Here is where
| can do a genuine act of charity, :"
the man commented. "The car is
empty, I am going their way, and
will pick them up"
The dust from the highway rolled
into their faces as they jumped to
one side, in obedience to the harsh
voice of the automobile, as it sound
ed its command, Stand aside, you
poor white trash!"
A little farther on they came upon
another machine, the occupants of
which were being annoyed by the
delay caused by puncture. There
were two prosperous looking men
and three handsomely gowned wom-
en- in the crowd, and they were on
their way to the Country Club.
where the men were to play golf and
the women were to have a quiet
SohO VI VI luSO Will d con-
genial spirit, on the piazza. The de-
lay was most annoying.
The man swelled up with Joy that
he could be of service to them, for
SERVICE was his slogan. So he
took them in, and landed them at
their destination.
After the day was done, the man
complained to the automobile, 1T
seems to me that 1 did not do the
kind things that you said 1 would
do"
"Why, what more can you ask,
than to have done ONE kind deed
in a day?" purred the automobile,
"and surely it was a kind deed to
keep these people from being late
| for their game. Anyway, it is un-
wise to pick up just ANYBODY on
the road. They might not be desir-
| able naOn1a at all -