Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-01-29

hear similar remarks concerning him,
and | think it a poor appreciation of
his generosity. As you say, he's al
ways giving, and as small business
to look a gift horse in The mouth, as
the pSalmist says. If he hires a man
with a meganhone to announce his
benefactionS, he isn't hurting any
body.
"Caustic things are said of every
phlanthropist who manages to get
some advertising out Of his liberaliEy,
but it's my opinion that you'n have 10
hunt a long time, with a searchlight
and a pair of gumshoes. before you
find the man who enjoys doing good
by stealth. If you do find him, he Will
prove to be freak, and it Will he your
duty to see him returned TO the asy-
lum from which he escaped.
eve are all more or less hungry for
the appreciation of our friends ana fell
low citizens. And | ara glad it's SO.
If we didItt care three whoops what
our friends thought of us. we wouldn't
paint our houses. OF NOW our lawns.
or trim our whSkers. We wouldn't
spend any money for flowers or boiled
shirts or any Of the things which make
life beautiful and attractive. If man
spends lot of money for "a gorgeous
lawn, with real trees and expensive
flowers and all sorts of ornaments,
he's doing it because he wants TO he
praised by the people who see Il all.
You don't see any such lawns in lone
some rural districts. There the front
yard always is a calf pasture.
"The farmer reasons that it's no use
having a pretty lawn, for there's no
body 10 admire it. Nobody ever goes
past the place except an occasional
lightning rod agent or a man who is
taking orders for fruit trees.
"Why don't you sneer at die town
man who puts so much money into
beautiful grounds? It's all grand
stand play. He expects to get adver-
Using out of it, and he does. and he
deserves it. We shouldn't criticize any
man who is doing good, even if we
don't like his methods.
"Some people say that Skimback is
trying to atone for all the sinfulnes9
of his past career. 1t Is argued that
until recent years he never gave away
anything, but was after the dollars by
day and night, and didn't care who got
hurt so he overlook and captured
them. They tel Of mortgages he fore
closed, causing indispensable suffering
here and there. lie is accused Of re-
sorting to every dark tric,, 10 increase
his hoard Most of the stories prob
ably are bunk, but what if they are
true? Now that he shows signs of re-
pentence In his old age we should en-
courage him in every possible way,
and If he gives photograph 90 the
high school, or puts up public drink
Ing fountain IN The public square, we
should ten him he's cverybody's dar-
ling, and not dig up a lot Of ancient
history for his confusion.
81 haven't mucn money to give
away, but when ! do loosen up to the
extent of a dollar or two / like 10 have
an audience. | like 10 imagine TINT
people are saying What great-heart-
ed. benevolent old geezer he ish The
other morning d man approached me
and asked me to contribute something
toward putting "A new steeple on the
church, and / began 70 explain thai
church. siacrls are out Of date. when
he interrupted to say chat The names
Of Am contributors would Be printed in
tae paper. and Then / dug ua 50 with
out further words. And we're all
tarred with the same stick, ny
friends