The Glenwood post., 1922-01-19

The shell OF the cabin was finished
that day. Its puncheon floor was in
place but Its upper floor was to be
laid when the boards were ready. Its
two doors were yet to be made and
hung. its five windows to be fitted and
made fast. Its walls to be chinked with
clay mortar. Samson and Harry
stayed that evening after the rest
were gone, smoothing the puncheon
floor. They made few nails at the
forge after supper and went over to
Abe's store about nine. Two of the
Clary's Grove gang who had tarried
In the village sat in the gloom of its
little yeranda apparently asleep. Doc
tor Allen, Jack Kelso, Alexander Fer
guson and Martin Waddell were sit
ting by its fireside while Abe sat on
the counter with his legs hanging off.
I'm sorry we had to have trouble"
Samson remarked. It's the only spot
on the day. I'll never forget the kind
ness Of the people of New Salem"
''The raising bee is n most Signiii-
cant thing" said Kelso. Democracy
~
works for the crowd and the crowd for
each. and there are no favorites. Ev-
cry community is like the thousand
friends OF Thebes. Most of IFS units
stnnd together for the common good
for Justice, law and honor The
schools are spinning strands of de-
mOcracy out of all this European wool.
Iat Is In nj iply hnt md
weave them into one great fabric. BY
and by we shall see the ten million
friends of America standing together
MS did the thousand friends Of
Thebes."
It's great thought" said Abe.
mo man can estimate the size Of
that mighty phalanx of friendship all
trained in one school," Kelso went on.
Two years ago the Encyclopedia Bri-
tannica figured that the population OF
the United States In 1905 would be
l6SWO,OOO people, and in 1866. 672.-
100000. Wealth. power. science, lit
erature all follow in the train of light
and numbers. The causes which moved
the sceptre Of civilization from the
W NeSltIh LuTODe VIII tuT-
ry It from the latter to the new world"
They say that electricity and the
development OF the steam engine are
going to make all men think alike"
said Abe. "Tf that's so democracy and
liberty will spread over the earth. I
reckon we are near the greatest years
In history. 1t is q privilege to be
alive"
And young" Doctor Allen added.
Young! What Gods blessed
thing is that!" said Kelso ABE.
have ye learned The Cotter's Saturday
Night''"
Not yet It's a heavy hog TO hold,
but ri get a grip on an ear and u
hind leg and lift 1t out o. the pen be-
fore long. You see"
Don't fail to do that 1t will he
help and Joy to ye."
"Oid Kirkhan Is 4 hard master"
said Abe. II hear his bell ringing ev.
sry time get minutes leisure. I'm
nigh through with him. Now I want
to study rhetoric"
'only schoolmastsrs study rhetoric.
Kelso declared. "A real poet or real
orator il born with all the rhetoric he
needs. Rhetoric IL q steed for light
load under the saddle, but he's tos
warm bloOded for the harness. He
was for the day Of the plumed knight
not for these times. No man o(
sense would use a prancing horse on
q piow or . stone boat. A good plow
horse ls q beautiful thing. The play
Of his muscles, the power Of his stride
are poetry to me. but when he tries
to put on style ne is ridiculous. That
suggests what rhetoric Is apt to do to
the unframed intellect. n you've
anything to say or write. head struIgli.