Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-06-09
II GRADUATES
AT FINLAYSON
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Hest days there had come down a
prophecy or tradition that some day
there would be born in this secluded
valley man who would resemble the
Great Stone Face in personal appear
ance and in character.
BY and by it became nOised about
that the prophecy had been fulfilled
in the person of a man born in the
valley who had become a great finan-
cier. In his old age he decided to
return to his native valley and spend
his declining years. When he arrived
people greeted him with loud cheers.
The author calls him Mr.. Gather Gold,
but it was soon discovered that ne
might equally as we'll be called Scat
ter Copper, because of his selfishness.
The fortune he amassed was of no
benefit to the financier's neighbors or
fellowmen. 1t was merely a matter
of personal satisfaction and aggran-
dizement. Hence, the prophecy was
not fulfilled
A year or two later the people of
the valley believed that the prophecy
had been fulfilled in native of the
valley who had become famous as a
general, and who had won for himself
the nickname of BOLD, Blood and
Thunder" He, too, returned to his
native valley for visit and was ac-
claimed by the natives as the fulfill
ment of the prophecy. But it was
soon realized that the great battles
he had won were not for the good
of mankind, and that BOLD, Blood and
Thunder" had none of the qualities
of the Great Stone Face.
Later, great orator and statesman
born in the valley was thought to be
the fulfillment of the prophecy. His
countenance bore striking resem-
blance to the Great Stone Face, and
his elOQuence was inspiring. He was
talked of for the presidency, and in
his preliminary campaign for the can
didacy, he was received by thousands
who heard his wonderful eloquence.
But again it was discovered that this
great statesman was not the fulfill
ment of the prophecy because his
character did not square with his
public professions. He did not, as
we say, ring true. So there was great
disappointment among the people.
Another native of the valley be-
came famous as a poet He was rec
ognized by the highest authorities as
Of
This poet also decided to revisit his
native valley, not because he had any
beliefs that he was the fulfillment of
the prophecy, but because he wanted
to meet the hero Of the story, whom
the author calls by his first name, Err
nest.
Truly Great May be Found at Home.
Ernest at the beginning of the story
was boy of twelve, a son of a poor
widow. He continued to live in mis-
native valley. He did not go away
to school or college, but he was a
deep student of books and of nature.
He was peculiarly interested in the
prophecy as to the Great Stone Face.
and more than anybody else hoped
that this prophecy would be fulfilled.
He was plain, simple, unassuming,
went about with his neighbors like a
common ordinary man, was kind and
helpful to everybody. He became a
sort of lay preacher, and was in the
habit of addressing his neighbors in
natural amphi-theatre on the edge
of the valley, opposite to the Great
Stone Face. These lay sermons were
addresses containing wealth of
original PHILOSOPHERS, observations of
life. They found their way into the
newspapers and attracted attention.
Among those who read these dissert-
ations was the poet already referred
to, and the poets particular purpose
in revisiting his native valley was
to get acquainted with Ernest.
They had a wonderful visit at Err
nests home. The poet did not reveal
his identity, but as he talked, Ernest
became greatly impressed with his
conversation and said, "Who art
thou, wonderful MANI" The poet
pointed to volume of verse which
Ernest was holding. ooh, 1 see," said
Ernest, you are the author of these
beautiful pOems." He keenly studied
the face OF the poet, then looked over