Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-09-06
~:
from the
Democrats Pen

fore these boys and girls will be get
ting their pens, ink, pencils, and states
ready to go back to school. Maybe
I'm a little behind the times when l
saw "slates". The modern school pu-
pil, he uses a pad. I know, because,
once in a while, some of the young
est generation, come around to the
office of the local paper and solicit
these little scratch jiggers made up OF
scrap paper.
Occasionally, there is one hopeful
who shows us new use for these art
icles. Not so very long ago, I gave
a nice looking little chap a pad, and
he hadn't receded from the view OF
the office window, when he took it
by one corner and tossed it high in
the air. The breeze seized it, flut-
tered it's leafs, and those that would
MT exactly flutter, were torn from
their mornings and went floating to
the street. They looked real pretty.
Reminded me, somewhat in miniature
tho, of the days when the drawings
for prizes take place in Pocomoke
streets. You all know what becomes
of the unsuccessful little papers. If
YOU don't the street cleaners do. Not
so very long afterwards, that little
sucker came in for another pad; but
we were just out of pads, shortly be-
fore he applied.
But, I started to say something
about those youngsters who will
shortly wend their way toward the
school house. You know, remember
such an event in my own life-and
it takes a good memory to reach that
far back, too, I'm here to tell you. I
had birthday last Sunday, but that's
the last one I'm going to have, no
matter how many more summers and
winters pass over my devoted head.
But, have an idea that some peo-
pie are not going to let me forget
the passing years. Why, received
some cards from people who set me to
wondering how in the name of Sam
Hill, they knew when my anniversary
came around. But that's a secondary
matter. It's always gratifying to be
remembered.
But, I started to say something
about these youngsters who are think
ing about the opening of school. Funny
how some people never get to the
point. Digressions seem to be more
interesting than the straight and mar
row path of real events. But, what
I started to say was, that saw in a
paper today large advertisement of
a firm offering school supplies for
sale. In the middle of the lad" was
a cut showing two very nice looking
children boy and, a girl. They
were all dressed up and ready to go.
He looked like he had washed UP
until the back of his neck and also his
ears shone like the stuff everything
comes wrapped up in-I forgot what
you call it. His shoes-even the heels
were polished; and, of course, the
girl was neat as the female of the
sex always is. Looked like she might
have been some other boys sister;
this is a rapid age, you know, Well,
these two young Americans-guess
they were intended to represent Amer
leans, this is sort Of composite pop
ulation that now comprises the citizen
ry of these old United States. How
somever, they were walking side by
side, heads up, hair combed, eyes
bright, and a sweet beatific smile in
their sweet little faces.
And I just wondered whether that
was true tonature. I wonder how many
of you people relished the sound of
the bell that called you to a class
room, better than the one that an
nounced the closing hour. I can re-
member there was rush and whoop
for the front door when school was
OUT; and there was tagging step
that answered the summons to "less-
ons".
can recall the day when was
first sent to school. My face was
all scrambled with sobs, and streak
ed with tears, I can remember I was
dressed up, fit to kill, with-what do
you suppose = velvetine jacket and
knee breaches. I thought I would die
with shame and horror. The wide
white collar around my neck suited
my mother, but I'd rather, at that
time felt moose squeezing my throat.
ALI the rest of those pesky little kids
pointing their fingers at me, and call
ing mel didn't know what. I know
this-I got mad and that velvet suit
didn't look the same when went home
as it did when started for school that
morning. ~. s4z,A......