Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1921-07-29
Something to
Think AbOuf
FACING THE MUSIC.
By r. II. WALKER

lust when or under what circum-
- stances the expression facing the
music" originated is, so far as know,
unrelated history, but one thing is
certain, 1t is one Of the most express
sive Of the many pungent American
isms that a nation apt In coming
phrases has originated.
suspect that it had some sort of
military application In the begin
ming, that 1t meant that a soldier
should always face the front where
the band was playing and where the
action was going on.
There are, as / 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 Internationally. The other is
that he had his back to the enemy
and was running away.
The fellow that is facing the music
That is Just as true off the field
of battle as it is on it. And 1t 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 1t. You may
overcome what seems insuperable
But to do that you have to FIGHT
It, not FEAR 1t.
And the best way to battle any
thing is to face 1t squarely, fight 1t
fairly.
If 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 blow with the hand
that was farthest from his opponent.
If he tried to strike with 1t 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 1t by
avoidance, who doesn't face it brave
ly and manfully indicates a lack of
courage and an absence Of judgment.
Nothing will give your adversary
more encouragement than the evil,
dence which you may display Of
desire to quit.
Many man has won a fight after
he has lost 1t simply because his OPP
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 took
his eyes from looking forward, he
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. If you
RI ra1xy
read the other without great trouble.
II danger threatens you FACE 1T.
If adversely threatens you FACE 1T.
II you have lost your Job or your
money or even your sweetheart put
on the best front you know how and
battle whatever circumstance presents
itself face to face.
1t is related by Sir Charles Napier
that by fearlessly facing a tiger he
sent 1t covering back into the
jungle. If he had turned away in the
slightest degree he would have been
killed.
The Psalmist says, "Thou madest
him (man) to have dominion over the
works Of Thy hand. Thou hast put
all things under his feet"
One of the truest things ever said
by a politician was the telegram
which q state of Maine man sent to
a despairing candidate1'Remember
God hates a gutter"
Everybody hates gutter. A man
may love and gain applause but a
gutter doesn't get even sympathy.
Face the music. Fight good fight.
Then, win or lose, you will have done
yourself the credit Of trying the best