Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-29
HEARD AND SEEN.

ten down the facts, inserted them IN
the Congressional Record and sent them
broadcast Here is the story:
In the early seventies there lived in
one of those wild Nevada mining towns
an individual of such rare lighting
ability that the whole country knew OF 4.
his prowess and respected II. He was
king Of the community. and his was q
reign of terror. Quick on the trigger,
he had a row of notches on his gun
handle. but his speciality was al a
rough and tumble. He was a native Of
Arkansas. and was proud OF the fact.
He boosted of the superiority of his
native state. So. as the name pleased
him. he was called "Arkansaw." he
was built like a puma, and his punch
was like the kick of mule. "Arkan-
saw enjoyed the role of champion and
handed out his wares in large and
severe doses; in fact. there were few
licked by the bully. And once was
generally enough for a man. After that
he spoke in a meek and subdued tone of
voice in the Arkansas mans presence
one day there came into the saloon a
stranger. A 1anky. solemn-faced boy
he was, in patched and faded blue over
alls. and a great fioppy. brimmed hat.
He was a prospector from the hills and
not particularly successful one-from
his looks. "Arkansaw'' caught sight Of
the youth who leaned against a post
so mournfully watching the roulette
and saw prospect. He staggered
the shoulder.
You. kid" said he. you want to he
mighty blamed careful how you're
actin around here. I'm from Arkan-
saw. l am
The young fellow cast a lazy. express
sionless glance at the half-drunk man
and turned his attention again to the
wheel. The miners moved up to see
"Arkansaw's" latest victim.
Say. you roared she man; ct say
I'm from Arkansaww
Yes" drawled the stranger. Il heard
You the first time"
"Arkansaw' went into "A rage.
''Ya don't know me. huh? Well. eat
'em like you every morning before
breakfast. I'm an old she wolf from
Arkansaw. ] am. and the best two
handed man in the country"
The youth jerked off his coat and
threw his old hat on the floor
We'll. by gosh" he said. I'm from
Missouri: you got to show me. or III
show you"
"Arkansaw" handed his gun to a by
stander and rushed He was met with
smash on the jaw that stunned him.
Then the lanky stranger proceeded 70
give the bad man sound thrashing.
When the combat ended the youth was
hero. The miners carried him in
triumph through the town. Thereafter,
IL person made a statement OF
doubtful veracity. some one was apt to
assert that he was from Missouri and
had to be shown.
A member of the House of Repre-
sentatives told me he had three thousand
letters from men in his district, all ask.
ing for commissions in the army. and
none of the writers claiming any mill
tary experience. Each of them detailed
the fact that he could run an automo-
bile, or had been a clerk in a grocery
store, or had voted for Wilson, or had
come from long line of Indian fight
ers, or had read considerable about the
history of the United States. One of the
applicants was twenty-one years old
and desired to be major general,
which is as high they come in the
army of the United States. None of the
applicants desire anything lower than
the rank of lieutenant. You would
think that perhaps one or two might be
willing to start in as first sergeant-but
no. Three thousand heroes and patriots
rush to arms in any capacity involving
them in regular pay roll and high
honorS.
Also members of Congress get letters
from prize fighters. lawyers, doctors.
book agents, dancing masters-all offer
ing their services to the country-and
meantime the recruiting station at the
corner is yawning. Some jocund old
gentleman just rounding out century
of sportively spent life announces to
the press that he Is willing to enter the
ranks and offers himself as the first
recruit Meantime the public cheers.
However. the recruiting station is wait
ing. Some day one of these chaps who
enlist through the medium of press
agent will make some remark near
recruiting station and find himself real
ly enrolled. And then he will have done
more for his country than all the press
agents in the world.
The world is so full of colonies OF the
southern and governors brand that we
are replete with military decorations
and parade properties. and now we need
few hundred thousand slim-waisted
chaps that can do something besides
talk about what their ancestors did at
Bunker Hill. The next time some one
asks me to get him commission in
the army ! am going to say, Sure.
Follow on" Then I will lead him to
the nearest recruiting station and point
at the entrance.
There's the door," I will say. Gross
that threshold and there's a commission
on the other side, IL you're worth 1t"
EARL GOODWIN.