The Omaha morning bee., 1924-08-24
OmdhdWhese theWestiS at its Best
SOMETHING FOR CALVIN TO DO"

81 will find something for Calvin to do" A
simple sentence from the lips of a fine old New
England farmer, referring to his son who has just
come home to spend few days of vacation on the
old place. Just what he would do to avoid idleness
had been broached, and the old father filled the gap
II will find something for Calvin to do"
Any father would probably say the same thing
The farm is not an extensive Here in the west
where we are accustomed to big farms, this would
seem all but insignificant. Yet not farm in the
United States has it's immediate Importance. Very
few have approached it in the matter OF spirit
ua significance. From that little old-fashioned, out
of-the-way Vermont homestead there went out one
morning just year ago man who was
destined to take his place among the mightiest OF
the earth He to sit at the head of the great
est nation in all the worlds history. He to ad-
minister its affairs its chief magistrate He pitched
hay during the afternoon Of day in August,
1928, and early on the morning of the next day, by
the Pickering light of a coal-oil lamp he took the
oath and became the president of the United States
1t was Calvin Coolidge, called by destiny to the
high office he now fills, seeking the old home for
brief respite from the and worry of the world
center. His father spoke of providing him with
ployment. On his shoulders rest the burdens of the
state, the public business Of 114,000000 citizens.
The interests of the far as America is con-
cerned. For his vacation he could have had his
choice of pactal homes, scattered at fashionable
sorts, in mountains, seashore. Wherever he might
be minded to go. Men and women would vie for
the honor of waiting him. His every wish would
be anticipated his vanity fattered, and his appetite
satiated with pleasure and amusement. ra
He preferred the quiet of the old home. It>was
there his boyhood was spent, and his early manhood
The tasks about the farm are familiar to him. He
has performed them many a time When he got
out into the world, and began to make headway
against the stream, he turned again and again to
the old rooftree for sanctuary and found in the
homely surroundings the little farm that which
he could not gain elsewhere. 1t is not merely ply
sica rest and recreation. From the simple life in
that quiet nook he gathers spiritual strength and for
titude to carry one.
1t is not pose with Calvin Coolidge. He does
not do this merely to impress people 1t is his lfe
He did it before he attained prominence. Steadily
and sincerely he has kept it up. When he
elected to the Office of governor of Massachusetts,
he continued to make his home in house for which
NE paid $35 month rent. It not parsimony
1t his serious view of life. Plain and comforta
BILE, devoid of luxury waste. Yet there there
every proof of cultivated taste and appreciation of
the good things of life. Not unmindful Of the
tistic but free from undue display ostentation.
Just that sort of life he recommends to the peo-
pie of the United States. The man who could say
to the people:
"I is well for the country to have lberality in
thought and progress in action. but its greatest
asset is In the commonplace things
of life lies the strength Of the nation. is
brilliant conceptions and strokes of genius that
shall find the chief reliance Of country. but in
the home in the school and in religion. America
will continue to defend these shrines.'
So Calvin Coolidge withdraws for a time to the
FARM. With his wife and son. and his father, he
reunites the family circle in the place they all call
home. Unfegnedly and without pretense. he takes
up for the moment the simple life and, without
saying so, sets wonderful example for all.