The Redwood gazette., 1918-01-30
The New Man;
What He Is
(By Emerson Hough)

He stepped so silently into the
room, advanced so silently to his
place at the table that for the mo-
ment not all turned to look at him.
He had not been invited, was not
now announced. But he seemed as
sured of welcome.
He seemed fit for welcome here
He was tall, hardy in figure and in
face, with deep lines showing effort
of body and of mind. His hair was
not gray, but there was steel in it
even now, though he yet was young.
His attitude was easy, simple, not
assuming, carrying not the least
trace of braggadocio, as he stood be-
fore this company where he had not
been asked, and took that place which
to himself seemed fit for him.
His figure was that of a young man.
His skin, smooth and harddrawn, was
that of young man. But his eye,
! clear, deep and bright, bespoke the
man who had brought and who held
himself competent to think.
His face, astonishingly high bred
and lofty, attracted the attention of
everyone at the great table. Men
turned one to another, whispering
"He looks like my grandfather" ex-
claimed one.
81 was about to say the same of
my own," was the reply. They both
had ceased to laugh and jest.
1t seemed to others that the eyes
of the young man himself turned now
and again to the pictures that hung
upon the wall-pictures of men of
another generation. But his own eyes
passed on and beyond the wall, as
though he looked into another day.
"Who is he?" asked one man of
another, now. That question went all
about the board. He seemed not AFRO
giant, save as youth and ability al
ways are arrogant. But what did he
here?
Strangely men began to look into
the great mirrors at each side of the
banquet table. Yet more strangely
the eyes of the young man also turned
to them, somberly, questioningly, as
though he saw himself.
He did not speak at first, had not
been asked to speak. None the less
it seemed that when finally he raised
his hand to command sattention, all
were waiting for his voice. He raised
his glass, empty. But, as though it
had been full of some strong wine,
something was giving his voice car
ry and clearness, his brain directness
and composure.
81 have come from another coun-
try" said he, simply. "Once l lived
at ease as you do. 1 played with life.
| valued not the great things of life.
l amused myself. cared for the
small things about me.
81 sought riches because some men
called 'super-men' by their fellows
| had attained riches and were praised
for them. I was concerned with the
things material of life, the things
perishable, that is to say, things hav-
ing to do with luxury and ease. This
made my horizon. l knew no better.
"Now, come from far country,
my brothers, while yet it is very near.
am a new man, but l am old. I am
stranger but am your brother. 1t
is as though | were your son, yet your
father and your grandfather, though
l am young. Do you read this riddle
81 come to take you to new coun-
try. | shall speak to you so that in
time you shall be as I am now, and
| shall be as you ought to be- and
are not now.
4 am the new men in the world
I come to your table-and l came
from your family. I come to your
family-and I came to your family
What was my country was yours OF
is your now. AS my vision is, sc
yours must be. AS my history has
been so must yours be-you must put
away the little things, you must see
the truth and meet it as l have done
"You ask, What is my country
You ask, Where is the country tc
which I summon you? Look about
you That country is America!
''I myself am born out of it am
the new mantle American!"
They looked and he was gone.