Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1917 — PHILOSOPHY OF WALT MASON [ARTICLE]

PHILOSOPHY OF WALT MASON

It’s most unpleasant to be shot, or slashed up with a sword; when battle rages, loud and hot, the tinhorn man is bored. His neighbors gallop to enlist, all eager for the fray. “I’ll stay at home,” he says, “I wist; I have no wish to slay.’’ And while the war is going on, and brave men sternly fight, he logfs at ease upon his lawn, and sleeps in bed at night. He’s thankful that the stress and strife are far removed ftom him, that he can lead a peaceful life in time’s that are so grim. But when the battles all are done, and peace is here again, and from the scenes of triumphs won return the fighting men, when to their homes the heroes jog, with laurels on each brow —oh, happier a yellow dog than is the slacker now! “From danger’s path I was exempt,” the slacker oft hath said, “but how men view me with contempt—l would that I were dead! I would that I had sought the Scrap, and sailed in. hit or miss; and if they’d shot me off the map, ’twere better far than this!” Ere you succumb to craven fears, to dread of strife and pain, think, think of .all the. future years, and of the world’s disdain!