Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 November 1916 — PHILOSOPHY OF. WALT MASON [ARTICLE]

PHILOSOPHY OF. WALT MASON

Wen I return from having fun, in rustic glades, with rod and gun, all tanned and fit and gay, I do not think it kind to prate, of fu<n I had, to some poor skate who couldn’t get away. While I roamed mountains picturesque, Jim Wax was toiling at his desk, to keep the wolf aloof; all summer long he strained his brow to lift the mortgage from his cow, and also from his roof. So it would be coarse work to come to poor old Jim and say, “By gum, I had a splendid time! You should have been out there with me, where one can snoop around and see all kinds of things sublime!” Instead, I say, “I envy you, who always have sane work to do, and never need to skip, to keep from being, doubly bored, to blow in wealth, you can’t afford, on some weird, bughouse trip! Vacations are a false alarm; ’tis only distance gives them charm, for when you try them out, and sleep in tents and eat canned beans, you sigh for old familiar scenes, and hate yourself, old scout!” Then Jim, whose face was sad and stern, and who had woe and grief to burn, because he could not roam, looks up and says, his face alight, “I guess that’s true! I think you’re right! I’m glad I stayed at home!”