Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 57, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1916 — PHILOSOPHY OF WALT MASON [ARTICLE]

PHILOSOPHY OF WALT MASON

The doctor says that pies are harmful, I must eat them no more; and that is why they seem so charmful I’d like to eat a score. Before me there are wholesome vittles that I may safely try; I'll have of them no jots or titles, my system shrieks for pie. I didn't much enjoy my smoking until the doctor came, informing me I’d soon be croaking unless I quit the’ same. Then fascinating and enchanting seemed my old pipe of oak, and here I’m sitting, yearning, panting, for something I can smoke. Last winter, when the boys were skating—a sport of which I’m fond—l too, began absquatulating along the village pond. The boys all said I was a winner, for fluent legs are mine, until I saw, where ice was thinner, a big square "Danger” sign. I skated up to see it closer—you should have seen me sink! It took two blacksmiths and a grocer to drag me from the drink. Who cares a kopeck for a warning? Man to his doom inclines because he takes a pride in scorning ail sorts of danger signs. Chicago appropriates $1,000,677 annually for public health. jCuba, after a direful experience with yellow fever, consented to let the hygienists put it out, and now appropriates $2,000,000 for public health.

Pennsylvania, when it became apparent that tuberculosis and typhoid fever would, if unopposed, finally swamp the state, appropriated sl,047,431 annually for the health cranks to fight these and other diseases. Massachusetts appropriates $180,219; Maryland, $142,600; Florida, $1 29,000; New Jersey, $12;>,000; Ohio, $91,000; Louisiana, $87,000; Michigan, $144,000; North Carolina, $61,000; Kansas, $46,000; Virginia, $45,000; Indiana, $35,000.