The Washington herald., 1921-01-08
Did You
See This I?

heard the following conversa-
tiOn between a barber and a sad,
weary-looking man who was get
ting his hair cut:
I'm not much on expressing my
sentiments" the weary one ex-
planned. that's why I didn't say
much to this friend of mine when
this friend of his died. But I did
want him to know I sympathized,
you know"
Yes, indeed, death is sad. amt
it?' the barber said-"want the clip
Rers on your neck or a shaver"
Clippers. So 1 went around to
the florists and bought a dozen
of the swellest roses you ever saw"
Yes, words don't do no good at a
time like that" the barber agreed
Its better to send a flock of flowers.
If you dig down for roses, they
know your heart is in the right
place"
Yes" the weary man assented
sadly, but I forgot to send my card
with the flowers"
Have you seen your friend yet -
the barber asked with a sprinkle Of
eau de quinine.
Yes, this morning" The weary
one sighed heavily. and lapsed into
a brief silence. Presently he con-
tinued: He told me that some crazy
boob"
Had sent them roses without his
name" the barber cut in.
les, and more, too. You wouldn't
think that little thing like leaV-
ing out a card would take all the
fragrance and beauty from expen-
sive flowers, would you? But the
only thing my friend could get out
Of the mistake was mirth. 1t was
not a question of taking the credit
for them, but of not taking the
blame"
so you didn't tell him you sent
them" the barber asked
Nav"
Too bad-but them things will
happen" The barber measured the
square of hair jutting down be-
fore the weary ones ears. This
wants trimming" he said, smooth
ing the hair down skilfully with
his comb. How much?'' he asked,
marking off his idea Of a stylish
trim with his comb, and turning the
chair so the weary one could see
better.
replied.
An American army officer walked
lazily through Lafayette Park. An
inferior officer and a private passed
him in succession, but he seemed
to be absorbed in thought. and not
seeing them, there was no exchange
of salutes.
As he passed out of the park into
Pennsylvania avenue just in front of
the White House, he came face to
face with a foreign army officer
He was a brisk, dapper little man,
looking very important in his smart
uniform made gay with scarlet
patches and gold embroidering.
When he saw the American officer,
his hand jerked up snappily in
salute. The American came haziIy
out OF his reverie and called out
genially:
"Hit"
And his hand went out gracefully
in that broad wave that character
ICES our best politicians. Then he
walked on aimlessly, engrossed
again-and the foreign officer stood
and looked after him curiously.
II there is virtue in praying In
ones closet, there is also beauty in
the grief that prompts a ceremonial
rite without spectators. Or at least
the iceman who delivers ice on z
street near Twelfth didn't know
any one saw his touching tribute to
a departed spirit New Year Day. \
He had delivered his ice and was
climbing into his wagon when some-
thing caught his attention. He went
over to the sidewalk, picked it up.
looked at it tenderly and laid IL
gently on a rock, then disappeared
through one Of the nearby doors.
1t was some minutes before he
---aed with a withered Christmas
knelt down slowly,
Freath over the empty
land climbing back into
Irove briskly away.