Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-01-19
THE New MAN
(ny umerson uough.)

He stepped SO silently into the
room, advanced 40 silently to his place
at the table that for the moment not
all turned to look at him. He had
not been invited. was not now an
nounced. But he seemed assured of
welcome.
He seemed ut for welcome here. He
was tall. hardy in figure and In face
with deep lines showing effort Of body
and Of mind. His hair wat 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
IF br1ggadocio. az he stood before
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 hard-drawn,
was that ht a young man. But his eye,
clear, deep. and bright, bespoke the
man who had thought and who held
himself competent to think.
His face. astonishing,y high bred
and lofty. attracted the attention Of
everyone at the great table. Men
turned one to another, Whispering
He looks like my grandfather? 2"
exclaimed one.
II 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 hat hung
upon the wall-pictures of men of an
other generation. But his own eyes
passed on n beyond the wall, a.
though he looked into another day.
sVVhn ie In ?" 1vkef nno man ~
another. now. That question went all
about the board. He seemed not ar
rogant. ave 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 strangely
the eyes of the young man also turn
ed to them, %somberly, auestioningly,
as though he saw himself.
He did o speak at first. had not
been asked to speak. None the less
it seemed that, when finally he raised
his hand to command attention. 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 carry
and clearness. his brain directness
and composure.
IT have come from another coun-
try" said he, simply. "Once I lived
at ease As you do. I played with life
I valued not the great things of life.
II amused myself. I cared for the
small things about me.
II sought riches because some men
called 'super-men' by their fellows
had attained riches and were praised
for them. ] was concerned with the
things material Of life, the things per-
ishable. that is to say. things having
to DO with luxury and ease. This
made my horizon. I knew no better.
Now. I come from a far country,
my brothers. while yet it is very near.
I am a new man. but I am old. I
am a stranger but / am your brother.
1t is as though ] were your son. vet
also your father and your grand
father. though I am young. Do you
II come to take you into a new
country. I 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
II am the new man in the world.
come to your table-and 1 came
from your table. ! come to your fam
ily--~and I came Of your family. What
was my country was yours or is yours
now. AS my vision is, SO yours must
be. AS my history has been SO must
yours be-you must put away the lit
tie things, D must see the truth and
meet it as 1 have done.
You ask. What is my country, You
ask. Where is the country to which
!! summon you? Look about you.
That country is America!
Il myself am born out OF i'll am
the new mantle American"
They looked--and he was gone.
Does what he said remain?