Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1921-06-30
Something to
Think AbOuf
FACING THE MUSIC.
By F. II. WALKER

- stances the expression facing the
music" originated is, so far as know,
unrelated history, but one thing is
certain, il is one of the most express
sive OF the many pungent American
isms that nation apt in coming
phrases has originated.
| / suspect that ii had some sort OF
a military application in the begin
ming, that IL 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 a soldier being
shot in the back.
One Is that one of his own men,
too excited TO take proper aim. wound
ed him unintentionaly. 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 I'm the back.
That is just as true of the field
of battle as 1t is on it. And ii 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
II, not FEAR it.
And the best way TO battle any
thing is TO face it squarely, fight IT
fairly.
If you ever saw two boxers in the
the side of his body towards the
other, you will have noticed perhaps
that the man who fought sideways
never landed a blow with the hand
that was farthest from his opponent.
| If he tried TO strike with II his
competitor knew long enough in ad-
vance to thoroughly guard himself
against its 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 by
avoidance. who doesn't face IL brave
ly and manfully indicates lack OF
courage and an absence of judgment.
Nothing will give your adversary
more encouragement than the evil
dence which you may display of a
desire To quit.
Many a man has won fight after
he has lost it 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
cannot go TO see one you can surely
read the other without great trouble.
II danger threatens you FACE 1T.
If adversely threatens you FACE IT.
If 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 il 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 politician was the telegram
which state of Maine man sent TO
despairing candidate Remember
God hates n gutter"
Everybody hates a gutter 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
| you knew how, of giving the best that
was in you, or being down, perhaps,
| but never out.
(Copyright)