Evening star., 1923-08-03

world may never come to full and
understanding appraisal of Mr.. Hard
ing as man. Only those who en-
joyed the intimacy of his association
for years can do that. Mr.. Harding's
greatest greatness lay In his hu-
mility. He was always humble in
the sight of God. He was never boast
ful. He was never seryile. Despising
pretense and artery. he was sincere
in every word and deed.
Mr.. Harding never condemned any
one; he was a booster. Loyalty was
an outstanding attribute with him.
He never forgot a friend. He never
failed to reward one. No matter what
others said. he never knowingly
turned down any ono whose loyalty
had won his friendship.
Money which paid the tuition and
tng} the two years he attended Iberia
College. Morrow county. near here,
was earned by driving team Of
horses. The Toledo and Ohio Cen
trail was building a railroad near his
home. and Mr.. Harding induced his
grandfather to loan him one or his
teams of horses. Harding drove the
team all that summer and earned
$3.50. He was graduated from the
college with the degree OF doctor of
arts.
After graduating Mr.. Harding came
10 Marion d white anu
barefooted. He took up the study of
law in the office OF J. A. Wolford,
working the insurance business as a
side line. But this proved unproftabie
and he forsook the bar to engage In
the newspaper business, which was
more to his liking. The first real
money" the President said he ever
earned was when he secured the fire
insurance on the present Hotel Marion
from Amos King: who later became
his father-in-law. with his slSo
commission he said he felt himself
rich" and the first thing he purchased
was slip horn" and Joined the
Marion silver cornet band. TINS
slip horn" Is still possession or the
Harding family.
her life, was most marked. The Pres
ident never failed to do her honor ana
often spoke of her goodly influence
upon him She was Baptlst. 70
which church the President belonged.
Winter and summer he always sent
his mother flowers and when away
from Marion always left an order
with the florist to see that she was
supplied. His mother has been deao
twelve years. He often spoke OF the
homemade pies she used to bake ana
his especial kind was apple. 1t was
common sight to see his mother car :
rying over a warm apple pie TO MS
home His mother always told her
friends that some DAY warren WIN
be President" but she did not live to
see him elevated to the highest posi-
ton in the gift Of the Nation.
The first office that Mr.. Harding
was a candidate for was county clerk
of courts here He was defeated. That
was in 1883.
Mr.. Harding had only one love af-
fair and that at the age of twenty-five
with the woman who today Is his
widow.
To his friends he was always know
as Wv G.." but his most intimate
companions called him Jerry.
The President was always an ar
dent base ball fan and up until the
time he was nominated for the Pres
idency liked TO wage small bets-ai-
wsys on the Cincinnati Reds. After
his nomination. when his barber
wanted TO lay a wager on the game
that day. Mr. Harding said:
The President OF this American re-
public must never bet on anything:
The office of President of the United
States is too sacred for that sort OF
thing"