Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-26


This was no IDLE question. for John
Barton Payne chairman Of The Amer
lean Red CroSS. has had many titles
in the IS full wears which lie behind
him Outside Of winning all possible
honorS in his chosen profession OF the
Law he has been director general ri
railroads. chairman Of the United States
SHIPPING Board. Woodrow Wilson'S Sec
rotary of the interior. Hardlng'S high
commissioner 20 negotiate recognition 81
AieXico-he has been farmer, Jurlst.
diplomat. phllanthropist He has had
the ribbon Of the French Legion of
floNs in recognition Of his work as
chairman Of the board Of governors Of
the Red Cross Societies Of the world.
In asking such a man what life has
meant 70 him his choice OF title Was
significant. for 1t revealed where.
among his innumerahie avocationS. his
real allegiance lay. First and last John
Barton PAYNE IS a lawyer.
Satisfied With His Life.
II il weren't 50 trite I'd describe
him as Happy Warrior" That name
las been pre-enlpted Of late for Gov.
Smith. hut Payne wouldn't mind that,
for he is a good. traditional Democrat
from FauCuier County. Va, though he
as row rated as of Chicago"
Having read him up in Who's Who"
before going to see him, l knew ne was
70 Years old. But / was tempted to mis-
trust my arithmetic when ] saw him,
Tall. not lean but without an ounce Of
extra flesh. rudy as befitted the presi-
cent Of the American Out-of-Doors AS
ISOLATION. with dlmple in the right
cheek which contradicted the strongly
HI Il ~
balanced head. nothing abnormal or out
q lire. bespoke his character. Strength
and hsppiness-the Happy Warrior.
Why, no. wouldn't be different
If I had my life 10 live over again"
he said And that is the real test
CT mans content with life.
= have been HAPPY. / have won
everything really wanted. / have
got out Of life Joy Of achievement,
& zest Of competition with others,
satisfaction of accomplishment that
absolutely contents me- Life has not
been easy. ! would not have liked it
If II had. I never liked being on the
bench as much as pleading before the
bar
L liked the competition with other
keen minds I liked TO win for my
client. / liked the qualification of
do little more than was expected of
me--tf1at gave me sense Of service.
The knowledge of a lob we'll done
What greater reward could a man
have?
But the fight must be clean /
haven't any regrets. because my rule
vas. to live so / could look any man
straight n the eye and tell hirn-well,
ycu know the phrase
There you have the Happy Warrior
fighting with ardor, winning with Joy,
losing without rancor.
In the Grip of Chance.
Did you always mean To be a law
Yer? Was it a hoyilood amhition?" l
asked, with vague ideas of an infant
prodigy, lsping legal aspirations with
his first tooth.
No. I wanted 10 be a shopkeeper,"
confessed Judge Payne with a chuckle
My father was farmer, but /
didn't want te farm When / was
is ! told my father wanted to be
g silopkeeper. Re made no objection.
took me into Warrenton. the nearest
town. and placed me with general
merchant there. I got $50 and my
keep that first year.
When I vas ID I went over 10 a
than crossroads. To keep a sort of
general store which was also an ex-
press and railroad Office Il was a
newly opened section and ! came in
contact with all sorts Of people while
tending store
One day z long lanky countryman
said.
You ought to be lawyer
II vas me first time had thought
Of II, but ti7e idea appealed to me /
was quick. positive. clear headed. even
q that age. / Wss always settling little
disputes ior people. But il vas Just cir
eunstance that crystallized my abili-
ties.
If have learned nothing else from
life ! have come n a very respectful
appreciation Of the power Of circum-
stance We humans must do what we
can against the thrust Of circumstance.
Always I vas waiting and watching for
q chance. / die not know exactly what
] wanted n DO or nov was going to
CO Il but / vas always awake To seize
anything that came ny way. In that
way circumstance became my ally,
A - Ills First Case.
Presently The little store petered out
~ fact, I tGld the owner. who vas a
friend RI mine. that Il would never
raT ard that both IF Us we're wasting
fn1e on II I vent home and there
cidnt seem o. be anything in sight
BIZ Old Lady Circumstance was on the
Job
My father had a farm in what r.
fgow West Virginia. which he wanted
- sell He sent ne over there 10 settle
up the deal While I was there / got
500 working for the clerk o. the
~ ~ kns 4r.srr 4
E.acketCnes Commentaries. ana my
legal career began right there. I had
only Tea scnooin0Use' education I'D
70 that time. but for the following
three sears 7 studied lag. worked IN
the Law Office tended store and kept
oooks for z manufacturing concern IN
tnf nea b. town q Grafton.
But had 10 clients Dame Cir
cgE1sisnce arrived Just al the right
moment I vas sitting ~ The table
with other lawyers IN the court Of
Fru1' v'o21 the oaY ! vas admitted 10
pFact.1e The reading " 3 familiar
f.aHe galgnt my attention An at
n4@iH'znee - mine Eas In trouble for
throwing stone ard hitting another
mac happened 10 knoa about thc
tHfl1ef1i % without thinking that /
&a. 1g@ s2yer ard IN curt I piped
~
IFS vas drunk iaeu he Gid u
2e iJGee pe}t 2 severe eye on me-
Are goJ representing this ciienig'
r. inquired
wasn't bIt before the CAV aas
& - ! jaaa9 myself MS attorney. with
cal rls Iro2}eoge because he wasn't
- court ~ all J p.eadec She case and
ger faf re- un#itlaa eiieI. the lowest
pSsS9.F asuleaoe $40 fire
jnst A@e nag Gfss east
the }5dao aoH. ore u tne best known
iaF tefH in The country With II trail
q famous ahd successful suits behind
nffn paused with iar-8Hsy. YerninlH-
cs1I gave a1l i5is keeD 0roan eyes sud
netis2 gore soft lie was again the boy
81 = winning his fYst case Had
anything Ia life meant more ~ him
wondered than that fFat Dayl&h taste
o. achievement?
'Walcr did gc4 Ike best civil or