The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-10-28

| Sne sees InOuSe,
and If a real peril comes along, she'll
exhibit more courage in five minutes
than rhe average man could dig up In
hundred years.
"There are scores of different kinds
of courage in this world, and you
can't expect one man to have them
all. A man may tremble and cringe
when threatened with physical vio-
lence.' and yet stand up. serene and
magnificent when the assessor comes
to the door, and there's nothing finer
than that sort of moral courage.
There used to be a blacksmith in
this town who had wide reputation
as a fire eater. He wasn't afraid of
anything. people said. If he heard of
a promising bruiser anywhere In the
countryside, he couldn't rest until ne
had mixed things with him. And he
didn't ask for purses or other induce
ments. He engaged in combat just
because he loved It. and was happiest
when his nose was knocked to one
side. and his eyes were bunged up so
that he couldn't see whether he was
going or coming. He acted the hero on
several occasions, rescuing people from
burning buildings. and saving gents
who were drowning and his nerve
became byword.
"Well. in the fullness Of time his
teeth went wrong and his head tswelled
up until it looked like squash. he
bought about q million things at the
drug store, and they wouldn't relieve
the pain. The doctor told him he
could have his sufferings ended in five
minutes by going to the dentists, but
that idea turned him faint. At last he
had to 90, and the dentist told me he
never saw such doggone coward.
That invincible blacksmith just had to
he lifted into the operating chair. and
as ofteff as he could get his breath,
he yelled.
"The dentists chair takes the starch
out Of many a brave man. I used to
have to frequent it good deal before
| I bought these handmade tortoiseshell
teeth, and I saw some moving sights
when was seated in the waiting room.
Women would come in there as calm
| and cool as though they had just
stepDed in for a dish Of ice cream.
I have seen a girl graduate sit chatting
comfortably until her turn came, and
then she'd step into the chamber OF
horrors without turning a hair; and
then some big policeman, who'd think
nothing Of fighting revolver duel IN
the dark with burglar, would come
into the waiting room as limp as
dishrag, sweating Ice tea and groaning
every time he drew a breath.
"A man might easily get a lot OF
falls, ideas about courage in the den
fists waiting room.
.'1,hat man Kersmith, who stood and
permitted a smaller man to twist his
nose. has a sort of courage I'd give
lot 70 own. I've always wished could
make public speeches. I've a lot OF
pent.up eloquence inside Of me that
ought to be turned loose for the edif-
cation and instruction of the people.
But every time I'm called upon for a
few timely remarks, I'm scared stin.
and can't say a blamed word. just
gurgle and splutter like a sunstruck
Iunatic. and hate myself for three
weeks after 1t.
"But when Kersmith Is called, he
rises without a tremor. and smiles
sweetly upon the audience, and goes
ahead saying what he has to say as
though In his own arm chair by his fire
side. I'd be willing to have my nose
and ears twisted several times to have