Deming graphic., 1919-08-05
THE GOLDEN TOUCH

world begang something lihe thiS t.
what is the chief aim and end OF
manY' III bite: What is itY When
Sammy Skinclothes and Billy Stoneax
found out that they did not really need
their hands In walking, and that they
were more comfortable In the presence
of ladies' with them In their pockets,
they discussed this pertinent question
and when they learned TO draw a rough
hieroglyphic ON the rocks, they wrote
down their ideas ON the subject So
ON down the ages, religion and philoso-
phy, the avocation of highbrows and
highbinders, has messed around with
this subject, but beyond few unob-
served rules Of ethics and vague disser-
tations along sociological lines, they
are not much further along than when
they mwound their tails for the last
time from limb and climbed down to
make their home ON terra firma-at
least you wouldn't judge so from their
line OF conduct
In Paleolithic times ne VINO discover
ed fire was a god he that made the
sharpest stone hatchet and invented
bow and arrows was a priest, and he
who could WELD these weapons with
the most deadly effect was a klng-the
big noise to whom every one got down
on their marrow bones: But the wise
guy that was most successful In col
lecting these things and hiding them
out until the time was ripe TO start
a revolution, was the forebearer OF the
financier, and this bird really had the
rest Of them by the nose. He kept the
fire burning and sold 1t to the rest of
the gang; he refused TO renew the
priests note and got his latest inyen-
ton; and the chief couldnt get his
best leopard skin out of hook until he
had promised protection 70 the finan-
cier's investment and loans. SO while
the editor doesn't pretend occult knowl-
edge as 10 what ought 10 he the chief
end and aim OF man, it is perfectly evi-
dent to even his dull wits that his chief
aim is to get the kale and his chief end
to buy the rest OF mankind body and
soul. Hence we have that universal
indoor and outdoor sport of getting
as much of the mazuma as possible
from the other fellow and keeping the
other fellow from getting any II possi-
BILE. It's a great old sport with the sky
for a limit and no rules.
Once upon a time there lived king
in far coultry. Ills name was Midas
and he was credited with having more
OF the precious yellow metal than any
other human being. But he was not
satisfied He wanted not only the
largest pile, hut he wanted all there was
in the world and TO make his JOY com
plete he wished that he could turn
everything of base material into gold.
He got his wish. He turned all the
flowers In his garden into gold, but
they lost their perfume he changed all
his garments to gold. but they hung
heavily on his shoulders, and, worst,
of all, he was hungry because his food
turned to gold In his mouth and his
only child turned to gold under his
kiss. His very heart within him was
slowly turning to metal and was heavy
within his bosom. He was cursed with
the golden touch. And yet II Is thought
10 be a compliment when everything
he touches turns to gold"
Few OF us are so gifted, but most Of
us have at least some time, or do right
now, wish for the golden touch. Yet,
when we look about, we see the sor-
row and curse OF the wonderful gift.
There is no happiness in II during life
and theI Is said to be eternal anguish
after death. We know at least that
even the wealthiest, when they die.
possess but a shallow grave with
crumbling stones 10 tell OF their ac-
complishments In amassing gold. Ger
tainly we know that they did not take
their store with them, and that no one
IS very sorry, or wish them returned
10 life. Their existence was selfish. and
unsocial and society breathes a sigh OF
relief when they kick In They move
ON a pathological plane whose condition
Is termed by modern sOcIalogists 'oyer
nutrition" In other words they found
cred with their head in the bin and
they kept many OF their besters' heads
entirely away from the bin asd these
perished OF "under nutrition"
Most Of Us win agree that we are not
troubled by "over nutrition" !" but that
doesn't stop us from putting in all our
efforts in trying to reach that state
OF safety. Every man must produce
competence. or his mission in life Is
a failure. but to gain this perfectly nor