Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1915 — WALT MASON [ARTICLE]

WALT MASON

The Poet Philosopher A little slice of slander will do no end of harm. You say that Alexander has got a wooden arm. The chap who hears you tell it, will note the story down, and then he’ll go and yell it, with frills, throughout the town. He’ll peddle here and yander, all up and down the line, the tale that Alexander has got a wooden spine. Then Johnsing will meander, and tell his neighbor, Gregg, that poor old Alexander has got a wooden leg. And Lyman tells Lean-der-—this way such stories spread—that luckless Alexander has got a wooden head. Then Alexander hears it; a tear streams from his eye; he

brands it and he sears it as a confounded lie. die says: ‘‘lt’s no puddin’ to wear a scandal wreath; I’ve nothing that is wooden about me but my teeth. And now I’ll take ray claymore and spoil the liar’s plans; I 'll cripple up or slay more .than forty scandal fans.” The town is full of scrapping because that story spread; we hear the wounded yapping, we count the mangled dead. The morgue is full of corses, the jail is full of jakes; oh, reader, hold your horses, and pass along no fakes.