Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 221, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1917 — When House is Afire Loafing Is Dangerous. [ARTICLE]

When House is Afire Loafing Is Dangerous.

By Goerge Ade. A house was burning. All of the neighbors, except one, were trying to save the building. He sat on the fence. Some one suggested that he should help. “They don’t need me,” he replied. “The others are so blamed energetic and efficient that probabily the fire will be put out without me turning a hand.” A ship was sinking. The captain ordered all hands to the pumps. “Keep the pumps going- and I wi il land you safely,” that was the captain’s assurance. AH of the'sailors, except one, sprang to the pumps. This one sat on a coil of rope and smoked his pipe. “Do you want to drown?”

asked a shipmate. “I won’t drown,” was the cool reply. “Not while you boys are doing my share of the work. I know you’ve got to keep the pumps going whether I help or not.” Once a great republic, in real need of the loyal assistance of every citizen, called for subscriptions to a bond issue of enormous dimensions. One kind of man said: “I don’t believe I’ll subscribe. The country is full of fellows that are all keyed-up and patriotic and when it comes to a show down they’ll make a few sacrifices and take care of my part of the subscription, rather than see the enterprise flatten out and fail.” Don’t perch on the fence when your neighbor’s house is burning. Don’t sit on a coil of rope when th** ship is sinking. Don’t fail to subscribe for the second issue of Liberty Loan bonds.