Newspapers / The Cherokee Scout (Murphy, … / Nov. 30, 1934, edition 1 / Page 8
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The C REWARD OF MERIT SB By WILLIAM H. LEACH ?. McClure Newspaper Syndicate. XVNTT Service ALL Crawfordsville had crowded Into the little town hall for the , ^ homecoming celebration. The I dignitaries of the occasion were organizing at the entrance for the j inarch to the platform. There village officials and the local preachers crowd ( ed around the speaker of the day eager to he recognized as part of the essentials. The platform was empty save for the chairs carefully arranged and one I man who sat at one end. He was n huge hulk of a fellow, dressed In a ' wc!i worn doughboy uniform with a I decoration on his breast. A pair of large dark glasses covered his eyes The speaker noticed him and turned to the chairman in Inquiry. "Soldier of the World war," he ex plained. "The only one we have who won a croix de guerre." "Itlind? "Blind as a bat. and stone deaf." "How did he get his decoration?" The chairman brought up his hands in indication of Ignorance. "In fact. 1 don't know much about him. No one does. One of the papers got hold of him some way and we brought him In for the celebration. Eager to come, too. when we finally pot the message across to him." "1'mp! Too had." the speaker, evidently relieved thai he would have lit tie competition for attention turned hack to his group nnd they marched to their positions. It was a great day for Crawfordsville Hat It was a greater day for Peter Kelly. He might be blind as a bat and deaf as a post but his Imagination was see ins wonderful sights on this day. His mind surveyed twenty years in a sec end. He saw plenty and famine, wars and peace, pain and Joy. love and hate But above all these rather petty things ?petty to him Just now?he saw one err eat ideal of human service: he saw the justification of a life-long ambition which had been handled roughly but now came to claim its own. It was just twenty years before that j he had stood on the platform of the village school of Crawfordsvllle and received his diploma. Senator Harrington had addressed the class which was graduating. His subject had been "The Compensation of Public Service." He recounted the story of his own life, telling of the rise of the barefoot boy to a position of groat responsibility. Young Kelly had eagerly listened to each word. He could still recall, word for word, parts of that great address. "My young gentlemen," the senator tiad said, "there Is but one rule to n successful and happy life. That Is the standard of unselfish service. All other things fall. All that glistens Is not gold. Rut it Is written In the very life blood of the universe that the man who serves his fellow men will be smiled unon bv the cods. The law of service never fails. The reward of Bacriflclal living may he long delayed? the mills of gods grind slowly?but the reward is inevitable. Sooner or later his fellow citizens will call him from his humble abode of labor and place the crown of public esteem upon his brow. Some day he may stand, as I stand here, before those whom he has served, beloved and respected by all. His words then will be the golden apples of advice which they consume with eagerness and affection." From that day Peter Kelly began to five. Of course he' had to start in a rather lowly capacity. He got a job as timekeeper In the focal woolen mills, but the opportunities for service are present In a placeas common as that He found himself lending aid to the families of those who toiled. More than once he paid the doctor bills for some hard-pressed toller. The men took the money and smiled at what they considered his naive nhllosoohv- Thev thoueht that It was the bunk. But the mills of gods grind slowly. He could afford to wait. Then h?11 broke out on earth and the World war was on. Pete kissed his old father and mother goodbye and Joined the first contingent of volunteers in the county. For a time he really tasted the sweets of public esteem. There were parties, dinners and pretty girls. In the fever of the moment be marfled one who swore that she would be faithful to him till death and he marched away with a proud and happy heart ^ar was not all that he expected It to be. here he looked for Idealism he fought lice and muddy trenches, pro Jolty, dirty stories, fights and sex. ?ot he kept the flame of Idealism high. heart had been touched in a way that the others could not understand, was fighting for democracy? i Herokee Scout, Murphy, I fighting that wars should be no more ?fighting to go back to Fanny and hear her words of approval. Then one day he woke up In tk^ hospital. His eyes were bandaged. He felt the smooth hands of the nurses as they moved and washed him. He did not hear their voices, so he learned that he was deaf. When the bandages were being changed he found that be cotil d not see. He was blind. What a penalty to pay in the fight for democracy. One day they stood him up In a line and some one pinned a medal to his breast and kissed him on the cheek. Afterwards It dawned upon him that he had been honored. Hut there had been no thrill. It was all a part of military regime. Then they brought hint hack across the ocean and placed him In a school, lie learned to listen by the pressure of the ham] and they taught him a use ful trade?that of making brooms. Finally as full fledged broom-maker he ' went back to Crawfordsvllle. His mother was still alive and he started the broont Industry in the woodshed of his home. His old mother would lead him around as he sought to make his salos j Fanny. the war bride, had secured ! a divorce on the grounds of desertion I At least, that was the reason the Judge ' gave the public. I In reality the magistrate felt that no ' bright girl should he tied for life to blind Pete Kelly to pay f??r a moment's madness. in the back room Peter Kelly worked on his brooms all day long. He worked with his fingers but his sightiess eyes looked toward the heavens. The eye* both saw and pleaded He was making brooms which would make housework lighter. It was honorable employment. There was the plead Ing thai some day ids own townspco pie would call him forth and express their loyalty to him. Kvery time a compensation check came his mother used the opportunity to protest. "It's a fool you were, Peter." she would nr. "Wlinfs the use of the money when you cnn'i see nor hear Your line friends linve forsotten you They pave you dinners when you wen: away. Rut they won't buy your brooms now." IVter would shake his head. "It takes time." he would say, "but the rewards of service are sure." Then one day two men called at the house to see him. They nsked the mother If he had really received the French decoration for bravery. She proudly displayed the cross. Then they gave the invitation for him to participate in the homecoming celebration. Peter was to have a seat of prominence on the platform. Thus, at last, conies the hour of triumph. Now the great hour has arrived. Unable to hear a word said his mind draws Its own pictures. He hears the speaker giving a word picture of the battle In which he fell. Leaning forward In his chair he nods to the audience. He thinks he hears cheers. He knows that they soon will be calling on him to say something. He knows? has known for years?Just what he will say when the time comes. In the meantime the program goes smoothly on. A local preacher gives the invocation. A quartette sings. The chairman Introduces the speaker In a ten-minute speech. The great man stens up and orates. The entire as sembly. tired with sitting on folded chairs, rises and sings America. It is not until the room has been practically vacated b.v the noisy, sweaty throng that the chairman notices that Peter has been left on the platform. He motions to the custodian to go to the platform and bring him to the door. The custodian touches his arm. The blind soldier Interprets it as his cue to speak. He takes one step forward and smiles. Then in the heavy unregu la ted voice, so common to those who cannot hear, he begins: "Fellow citizens. This tribute which you have today paid me touches my very heart. More than that It Justifies nhilomnhv of life. I have always believed and still do believe that when one sacrifices for his country and his fellowroen, sooner or later, the reward will come. Sometimes It is long delayed but it comes. The mills of gods grind slowly. Let the little boys and girls here treasure these words In their hearts." Again the custodian touched his arm. He yielded to the touch and accompanied him from the platform. Proudly he marched through the central aisle to the door, nodding to one side and another as he went People generally were not much Impressed with the quality of the meeting. Most of them agreed that the sneaker was awful. "Full of baloney," one expressed lf. "Wasn't the blind broom-mnker funny sitting on the plat form," said another. But the day ended in a flame of beauty for Peter Kelly and a strange spirit of peace took possession of h!s soul. For the spirit of service had received Its reward C., Thursday, Novembei | Contrasts A Quaint Prepurcfl by National OcocrnDhlc Society Washington. D. C.-WNU Service. SI AM still is -?riental In spirit, but iniseesses modern occidental appointments of great variety. In assimilating things western. Slam has maintained its distinctive Individuality. Few countries offer more startling contrasts. It Is not unusual In Siamese cities to see policemen halting motor and street car trnflic to make way for some kaleidoscopic medieval pageant. With modern hospitals nnd dispensaries available, many people still n refer ' medicinal concoctions made from rhi- J noceros horns, snake palls, an?^ strange herbs. Slow-moving oxcarts and shuffling elephants vie with motorcars for the right of way od many country roads. Siamese Rebeccas in Bangkok till their Jars (or oil tins) with water at sanitary street hydrants. In some parts of north Slam tiger whiskers are considered much more effective In punishing an enemy than is a police court. Vet, on the visit ot the king and queen of Slam to the United States In 1931, when King Frajadhlpok revealed his keen interest In athletics, radio, and motion pictures, and discussed In excellent Knglish with newspaper correspondents and business leaders such things as free pres9 and democracy, while the queen played golf, many people were amazed to discover how modern the royal family really was. Again, through the forthcoming visit of the king for further optical treat ment, the "Land of the Free" In Asia will meet our United States and mutual rppreclation will be Increased. Slam a Land of the Free? Such is the meaning of Muang Thai, the name by which the Siamese have always known their country. Superficially, It might seem somewhat of an anomaly; for, until less thar two years ago, when a constitution was born. Slam was the sole remaining absolute monarchy in the Family of Nations. Yet the name Muang Thai has slg nlficance. Of all the numerous races and tribal group3 who In successive migrations have -wept down across southern Asia, only the Siamese have emerged victorious. Against many vl cissitudes they have maintained their complete Independence and forged themselves a modern state. Today we can step aboard the magic carpets provided by Imperial Airways. K. L. M.. and Alr-Frnnce at London, Amsterdam, ur aia iscima nuu uv whisked away to this interesting oriental land In a little over a week, for Slam lies at the aerial crossroads of the Far East Or we can go by boat and drop off at Penang, Singapore, or Hong Kong, as Bangkok Is linked to , Penang by train, to Hong Kong by local steamer, and :o Singapore by both. In the long curving sweep of Bangkok's river highway, the Me Nam Chao P.hraya, Is revealed the pageant of SIam'9 commercial activity. Many of Bangkok's SO rice mills line the water front. Chinese junks and lighters clutter their wharves, with endless queties of perspiring, bare-backed coolies dumping baskets of sice In their holds. Other boats lift their rough matting sails and slip 'ownstream to the offcoast island of Kob SI Chang, where deep-draft steamers take on cargo. Nearly 90 per cent of all Slam's for eign trade moves up and down this wa terway, accompanied by all the strange smells and cries peculiar to an oriental port. As a capital city, Bangkok Is not old. It Is but a few years senior to Washington, on the Potomac. The New Kama 1 bridge. Its cnotmous spans etched sharply against a background of colorful temples and water-front shops, gives the city Its date iine. This 475-foot structure, first to link the two portions of the city, was dedicated In April, 1932, In commemoration of the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Bangkok and the reign of the present Cbakkrl dynasty. Extensive festivities brilliant in orl ental splendor attended Its dedication. At sis o'clock In the morning on that April day, after having said prayers j and lighted Incense before the statue of the Rama I, which stands at the f approach of the bridge. King PrajadhI pok, clad in ancestral garments, cut the thread of silk that barred the en | trance. Then, mounting the golden pa Siam Siamese Cart. innquln, surrounded Dy parasols of state, and accompanied by the princes and high officials, ho made the first crossing of the bridge. America has touched Slam In many ways. Through American missionaries modern medicine was first practiced kind progressive schools developed In the country. Americans brought the j [tirst printing presses and also adapted | [the 44 consonants and '20 vowel and j tonal marks of the Siamese written language to the keyboard of a type writer. aiu?u by American advisers of foreign affairs, Siam, In 192.">. secured the J [abrogation of outgrown extraterritorial j treaties and won her complete sovereignty. Originating In the mission schools, the physical-training Idea has spread] rapidly throughout the land. The late king himself was Scout Chief for the) wiifi nger corps. Although that organization has since ceased to function, its spirit is carried on in a Roy Scout organization known as the Wild Tiger Cubs. Education has become compulsory. More than 8C per cent of local schools and 50 per. cent of government schools are situated !a monasteries or are modern outgrowths ot the old temple schools. In Bangkok, too. is a wellfunctioning university and medical school. In the east of Slam, bordering on French Indo-China, is a wide mountain-encircled piateau, 500 feet to 500 feet above sea level and tilted slightly to the east, so that it drains into the mighty Mekong. During the six-months' dry season this territory is very arid, and during the rains it Is often heavily flooded; consequently It is the poorest section in Slam. and the people often have dlfticulty In securing a comfortable livelihood. Until recently, when the railway was extended beyond Nagor Uajnslma (Korat) to Ubol Hajadhani, the people were severely handicapped in getting their produce out to market centers. Considerable wealth, however, lies In the redwood and other forests located in the mountains. These and other resources will be developed because railroads and highways are being extended into the region. Chandnburi province, bordering the tiulf of Siam, flnds prosperity in its forested aills, in pepper, coffee, and in mby, sapphire, and zircon mines. South Siam embodies about one-half ot the elongated Malay penisula, with its population gradually shading into almost pure Malay. Like lower Malaya, it Is rich in minerals, especially tin, aad also produces considerable quantlIIna ftf r'lhlior In nnrmol ? erage of nine million dollars' worth of tin annually goes Into foreign marts from these mines. Eastward, westward, and northward from Bangkok stretches the vast alluvial plain of central Siam. level as a table top?the rice granary of the country. It is the heart of the kingdom and ihe soprce of nine-tenths of Its wealth. An area of roughly 50,000 square miles is enclosed between the high mountain backbone that extends along the Burma border and the battlements that face the Korat plateau. What the Nile is to Egypt the Me Nam Chao Bhraya Is to this fertile *nllfv Rpprv voor rtllHnB ?ho ann,ma> rainy season the river overflows Its banks and stretches out through Its network of canals and distributaries, depositing rich silt and providing the required water for the rice lands. Nearly two-thirds of all Slam's export trade consists of rice. Most of the people devote their lives to Its cnlt'vatlon. Chlengmal, second city of Slam, was rounded In the Eleventh century, and subsequently gained ascendancy ?? neighboring principalities. Because of its importance. It long sot on the fence between Burma and Slam and was pulled first one way and then the other, according to which rival sought by force of arms to claim Its allegiance. Chiengmal Is attractively located on the Me Ping, one of the chief tributaries of the Me Nam Chao Bhraya. Beyond It stretches e rice plain backed by the Imposing \500-foot mountain of l>ol Sutep. . Housewife's Idea Box When Doing Fine Sewing When iloln:: fine sewing your hands niust he kept absolutely free from perspiration, but some women And this difficult. In order to he sure that they stay dry and clean, make a solution of alum and water. Dip your hands into this before starting to sew. Dry them thoroughly and you will have no trouble In keeping them dry. T1IK HOUSEWIFE. Copyright tiy Public Ledger, inc. vnt" stviv Millions of Cars Junked Fifteen million automobiles have been junked in the United States since ?and about a firth of that number were manufactured prior to 11 3927. But In Spite of this, there remain In use some fUKMMHH) autonio hues which are more than seven years old. 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The Cherokee Scout (Murphy, N.C.)
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Nov. 30, 1934, edition 1
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