Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1915 — WALT MASON [ARTICLE]

WALT MASON

The Poet Philosoplier. I stood on the bridge at midnight, and looked at the sizzling town, where the pleasure seeking people were holding the sidewalks down. The moon rose over the city and shone on the dames and gents, but the glare of the lights electric made it look like twenty cents. The windows of homes were darkened, for no one was staying there; the children, as well as grownups, were all in the Great White Glare. Deserted were all the firesides, abandoned the old time game; alas, that the old home circle is nought but an empty name! The father is out chug-chug-ging, the. mother is at her club, the kids see the moving pictures, and go to hotels for grub. How often, oh, how often, in the days that seemed good to me, have I looked at the children playing at home, where they ought to be! How often, oh, how often, in those days of the proper stamp, have I gazed on the parents reading, at home, by the evening lamp! But the world has gone to thunder, forgotten that elder day; and 1 took up the bridge and broke it, and threw all lhe chunks away.