Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1921-08-06
Something TO
Think Ab0ut
FACING THE MUSIC.
By F. II. WALKER

i
y stances the expression facing the
music" originated is, so far as l know,
unrelated history, but one thing Is
certain, it is one of the most express
sive of the many pungent American
tsms that nation apt In coming
phrases has originated.
l suspect that it had some sort OF
4 military application in the begin,
aing, that it 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 1t, 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
cd 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.
of battle as it is on it. And it proves
that there is only one way to fight and
that is facing the foe Squarcly.
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 it.
And the best way to battle any
thing is to face it 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 adj
vance to thoroughly guard himself
against its effects
The well-trained boxer faces the
music He stands squarey 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 it brave
ly and manfully indicates a lack of
courage and an absence of judgment.
Nothing will give your adversary
more encouragement than the evi-
dence which you may display of a
desire to quit
Many man has won a fight after
he has lost it 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 hack 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 ia the statue of Columbus in front
q the great terminal station at Wash
Rgton the other the inspiring poem
"Suil On" by Joaquin Miller. If you
cannot go to see one you can surely
read tho other without great trouble.
II danger threatens you FACE IT
n adversely threatens you FACE 1T.
n you have lost your job or your
money OF even yotir sweetheart put
oh 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 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 politician was the telegram
which a state of Maine man sent to
despalrlng NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
God hates a gutter
Everybody hates gutter. A man
may love and gain applause but
gutter doesn't get even sympathy.
Face the music. Fight a 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
In