Oxford Democrat., 1921-07-19
Something to
Think Ab0nt
By F. II. WALKER
FACING THE MUSIC.
b. F. II. WALKER

USV when or under Wnat clrcum-
j stances the expression "facing the
music" originated is, so far as know,
unrelated history, but one thing Is
certain, It is one Of the most express
sive Of the many pungent American.
lsms that a nation apt In coining
phrases has originated.
I suspect that 1t had some sort OF
a military application In the begin
ming, that 1t meant that soldier
should always face the front where
the band was playing and where the
action was going on.
There are, as I understand II, only
two explanations for soldier being
shot In the back.
One Is that one Of his own men.
too excited to take proper aim, wound
ed him unintentionally. The other Is
that he had his back to the enemy
and was running away.
The fellow that is facing the music
never gets hit In the back.
That Is Just as true of the field
Of battle as 1t Is on 1t. And It proves
that there is only one way to fight and
that is facing the foe squarely.
You never can evade REAL trou-
BILE. You may defeat It. You may
overcome what seems insuperable.
But to do that you have to FIGHT
II, not FEAR II.
And the best way to battle any
thing Is to face II sQuarely. Aght It
fairly.
II you ever saw two boxers In the
ring and one Of them fought with
the side OF his body towards the
other. you will have noticed perhaps
that the man who fought sideways
never landed q blow with the hand
that was farthest from his opponent.
II he tried to strike with It his
competitor knew long enough In ad-
vance to thoroughly guard himself
against It's effects.
The well-trained boxer faces the
music. He stands squarely In front
of his adversary where either hand
will have to travel the shortest pos
sIble distance to land
The man who turns away from
trouble, who thinks to escape II Dy
avoidance, who doesn't face 1t brave
" and manfully indicates lack or
courage and an absence Of judgment.
Nothing will give your adversary
more encouragement than the evil
dence which you may display OF O
desire to quit.
Many q man has won a fight after
he has lost 1t simply because his op-
ponent gave up when he was not de-
feated.
There was only one man on the
ships, of Columbus who really made
the trip from Spain to the new world
and that was Columbus himself. All
the others quit days before. the shore
of San Salvador was sighted. Col.
umbus won because he never turned
his back to the dangers, never tooh
his eyes from looking forward, ne
always faced the music.
There are two splendid memorials
to this exhibition Of sheer courage
| One Is the statue of Columbus In front
| Of the great terminal station at Wash
Ington; the other the inspiring poem
"Sail On" by Joaquin Miller. II yor
cannot 20 to see one you can surely
read the other without great trouble
II danger threatens you FACE IT
II adversely threatens you FACE 1T
II you have lost your JOB or you
money or even your sweetheart pu
on the best front you know how an'
hattie whatever circumstance presents
itself face to face.
II Is related by Sir Charles Maple
that by fearlessly facing a tiger h
sent It covering back Into tn
Jungle. II he had turned away In tn
slightest degree he would have bee
killed.
The Psalmist says. Thou mades
| him (man) to have dominion over tn
works Of Thy hand. Thou hast pu
| all things under his feet"
! One Of the truest things ever Sal
nv a politician was the telegraI
which a state Of Maine man sent {
| despairing candidate-%RememDe
| God hates quitter."
Everybody hates a gutter. A ma
may love and gain applause out
| auitter doesn't get even sympathy.
i Face the music. Fight q good ngn
Then. win or lose. you will have don
| yourself the credit Of trying the De'
| YOU knew how. Of giving the best tn'
was In you. or beirg down. perhap
but never out.
II