Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1918 — THE NEW YOUNG-OLD MAN AND HIS COUNTRY [ARTICLE]

THE NEW YOUNG-OLD MAN AND HIS COUNTRY

By EMERSON HOUGH.

He stepped so silently into the room, advanced so silently to his place at the tatyle that for the moment not all turned to look at him. He had not been invited, was not now announced. But he seemed assured bf welcome. j j He seemed fit for welcome here. He was tall, hardy in figure and In face, with deep lines showing effort of body and of mind. His hair was not gray, but there was steel in It even now, though he yet was young. His attitude was easy, simple, not assuming, carrying not the least trace of braggadocio, as he stood before this company where he had not been asked, and took that place which to himself seemed fit for blm. , His figure was that of a young man. ‘His skin, smooth and harddrawn was that of a young man. But his eyes, clear, deep, and bright, bespoke the man who had thought and who held himself competent to think. His face, astonishingly high bred and lofty, attracted the attention of everyone at the great table. Men turned one to another, whispering: “He looks like my grandfather!” exclaimed one. “I was about to say the same of my own,” was the reply. They both had ceased to laugh and jest It seemed to others that the eyes of the young man himself turned now and again to the pictures that hung upon the wall—pictures of men of another generation. But his own eyes passed on and beyond the wall, as though he looked into another day. "Who Is he?” asked one man of another, now. That question went all about the board. He seemed not arrogant, save as youth and ability always are arrogant. But what did he here? 9 f Strangely men began to look into the great mirrors at each side of the banquet table. Yet more strangely the eyes of the young man also turned to them, somberly, questloningly, as though he saw himself. He did not speak at first, had not been asked to speak. None the less it seemed that when finally he raised his hand to command attention all were waiting for his voice. He raised his glass, empty. But, as though it had been full of some strong wine, something was giving his voice carry and clearness, his brain directness and composure. “I have come from another country,” said he, simply. Once I lived at ease as you do. I played with life. I valued not the great things of life. I amused myself. I cared for the small things about me. “I sought riches because some men called supermen by their fellows had attained riches and were praised for them. I was concerned with the things material of life, the things perishable, that is to say, things having to do with luxury and ease. This made my horizon. I knew no better. “Now, I come from a far country, my brothers, while yet It is very near lam a new man, but lam old. lam a stranger but lam your brother. It is as though I were your son, yet also your father and your grandfather, though I am young. Do you read this riddle? “I come to take you into a new country. I shall speak to you so that in time you shall be as I am now, and I shall be as you ought to be and are not now. “I am the new man In the world. I came to your table—and I came from your table. I come to__your family—and I came of your family What was my country was yours or is yours now. As my vision is, so yours must be. As my history has been so must yours be —you must put away the little things, you must see the truth and mee «*You a ask, What is my country? You ask, Where is the country to which I summon you? Look about you. That country Is’AmericaJ “I myself am born out of it-I am the new man—the American! They looked —and he was gone. Does what he said remain?