Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1922-11-02
.THE LATE.


ington few weeks ago. United States
Senator Tom Watson wrote for nis
paper, the Columbia (Ga.) Sentinel,
the following article, which he print
ed under the headline "The Late:"
Reader, did you ever run over the
pages OF magazine, scanning items
of news, dipping into heated contros
versies, pausing at the love stories,
and suddenly find yourself at the last
page, where the editor chronicles the
list of "The Later
Who are ''The Later" They are the
men who have lived their part, and
have left the stage. They are the
dead. Last month they were full OF
life = working, quarreling, loving,
hating, scheming. dreaming, planning
for. indefinite futures, as though all
Time was theirs. They read the mag
azine last month, just as you are do
ing this month. They scanned the
news. dipped into the discussions.
laughed at the jokes, fingered with
the lovers, and sighed over the
chronicles of "The Late" Then they
closed the book-and now their life
books are closed; and the yjoin the
lists of "The Late" which you and
are, this month, to read and sigh
over. How sad it all is.
Last month here was a scolar, delv-
ing deep into the hidden lore OF gran
ite rocks, of dust laden manuscript,
Of ruined temples, Of monumental in
scriptions leading back into the hoary
ages of the Fast-and now his nerve
less hands are crossed, and his eager
feet hurry no longer after knowledge
Last month he was q palpitating ac-
tuality, all ablaze with hope and pur-
pose. this month he heads the list OF
THE Late" -.
On the other hand there was an
author, one who had long been suitor
to fame: one who had toilei aad
fought grim poverty and cold neg
lect. Year, after year he had strug-
gled upward to the lisht-falling
back again with many sickening
disappointment. e..
But at last, as the silver threads
began to streak his head, sudden
sunburst Of fame was his. The storm
lifted and the haven was there. The
wilderness ended and the labor OF
travel -lwas- over Poverty -fasd -ea6l
golden ducats rained. Neglect van
ished and the world crowded upon
him with plaudits, with the eager Of
ferings Of UNIVERSAL fame. All this
was last, month. -
Your heart went out to the storm
tossed mariner who had SO joyfully
made port. Your hands clapped in
nnienn with all the others for the
brave soldier who had at last won
his fight.
This was last month.
Where Is the author now? Dead.
You will read his name in the list OF
"Ihe Late" His fame still rings
around the world; but. alas! his ears
are too dull TO hear. You may hand
him over SO many crowns of laurel.
ever SO many wreaths OF flowers; his
closed eyes cannot see.. his frozen
hands cannot hold.
Yonder, again. was the statesman,
tho politician, II you like. Last month
what robust figure was his! How
he hustled, how he showed, how he
aspired, how he Intrigued! With what
immense vitality did he strive to lift
his voice above the other voices, his
head above other heads! What
schemes did fill his busy brain!
Throughout all the walks Of life there
was not man more active. more resi-
olute, more full OF pluck and ambi-
ton. He clashed against his foes
with force that made the arena
ring. He would shiver q spear with
any challenger who struck hfs shield.
Ardently he sought honors, fiercely
he combatted opposition, tirelessly he
served friends-hopiny that they
would serve him, in turn.
That was last month. All eyes fol-
lowed him as he gallantly rode down
the lists, armed, from golden spear
to plume-dressed helm, seeking in
honorable strife to bear away the
prize. and live a space In the. hussas
OF braSe men, in the smiles OF lovely
women.
That was last month, and now It is
all over. Death struck him as he
rode. The lance fell from his hand,
his good steed gallops on. riderless.
The brave knight will seek the prize
no more. His name appears in the
list OF 'The Late.
And so It all goes-sad, heart
broakingly sad. And Il cannot be
helped. We have trodden down the
dead Of last month: the living will
tread as down, next month. Preach
peace a. much as You will and preach
Iowa and charity Nav thar kinwd0m