Newspapers / The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, … / Dec. 29, 1916, edition 1 / Page 8
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mfitfiiRBifitfatfiaaafitfgBB 8? THIS, THAT AND I w THE OTHER. S — Sfi By A. V. ffi * ifisasififfiSffiawffiinaiiRS The Christmas season in our part •f town was ushered in Friday. Sher iff Grimes invited all his neighbors to come to his house and enjoy with him the pleasures of the season. Mr. Per ey Smith had brought his violin and two of his friends, Messrs. John and Jake Massengill, who had brought mandolin and guitar, and Mr. Keene, of Four Oaks, played the piano. And they all played and played, and the guests listened and listened as the tunes of the Old South rang •ut from the festive instruments. It seemed that ante-bellum days had •ome back with all the romance and pleasure of that time. The hostess,* in true Southern style, served abundantly all manner of re freshments. The entertainment was planned with the idea of giving the guests an evening as our ancestors had, and the guests wort* delighted. This custom of inviting the neigh bors to a neighborhood-party has a tendency to make us all happier. We feel better for knowing each other better. The sheriff and his good wife have the thanks of Brooklyn. I congratulate the Methodist Sun day school on their Vesper Service. It was a distinct contribution to the better life of the town. The church was decorated in white, the choir of young girls, all dressed in white completed the striking scene. 'The note of the celebration was love, the spirit of it reverence for the Christ Child. There may have taken place finer celebrations in our town, but it seemed to me that the Christ was certainly present at this simple, reverent, devotional service. The song of the angels seemed to be heard and the story of Christmas appeared more real. The best thing of it nil was the fact that we were made to think of Christinas a Christian day. It seems immensely fitting that the birth-day of Christ should be a day of worship and of Christian thought, a day holy among days. Thus it was in early Christian days and we are rapidly go ing back to that old custom. To make of Christmas a day of drink and debauch is beyond the un derstanding of the ordinary thinking man. The origin of the revelry, however, lies in our Germanic ances try. The old Druidic celebrations, which took place about this time of the year, were characterized by a great many pagan outbursts that should not be tolerated in our days. Drink and revelry were not uncom mon, and this old pagan custom is still in evidence. There can evidently be no thought of Christmas as the day of the temperate, chaste Christ, in that day which begins with a liquor order several days before, which con tinues with a visit to the depot and a subsequent drunk the Day of days. That is in keeping with the meade revels of our ancestors. The tiring of arms and the desire for noise is a remnant of the same carousing of our forebear#. * * * Whilst wo were peacefully celebrat ing our Christmas, millions of men were in the trenches on that blessed day, trying to kill each other in the name of patriotism. We had here in Smithfield a striking picture of what war means. Every man, who was at “The Battle-Cry of Peace” will take another view of the horrors of war. It may be fine, when seen far-off. From nearby it is hideous, revolting, out-of-keeping with all Christian ethics. That war may come even to us, is not an impossibility. Poor Bel gium never had a thought of the deso lation that would come to her, yet to day she is a vast ruin from which her wretched children are torn by a ruthless conqueror. Preparedness was never better portrayed as necessary than in that film. Some day or other this nation will have to prepare Against war. Unless we do, we may yet suffer the fate of Belgium. * * * Speaking about moving pictures, it seems impossible to realize the hold the pictures take on a man. We may like the movies or we may condemn them, they are among the strongest influences in our lives to-day. They are shaping the thought of our youths and of our adults much more than we think. Twenty volumes and a thousand speeches will not grip us as vividly as that picture of Monday night. When the speakers and the books are forgotten those pictures will still be with us. That these pictures grip us for good or for bad is in controvertible. It would be interest ing to calculate how many people are reached by them during the year. That they will eventually evolve into an agency for good seems probable. I ha$e noticed in every1 case that the public is with the heroine against the villian and that the people instinctive ly applaud the punishment of crime. There must be question as to the propriety of certain scenes, which may be abasing to some, yet not abas ing to others. The question of a strict censorship is out of the question. The attitude of the sober minded people of any community will eventually decide the life or the death of the movies in j a community. Encouragement given to clean performances, unmitigated condemnation of improper scenes will be the ultimate criteria of a theatre’s success. The managers are sensitive to the criticism of the people for on this depends the financial outcome of the play. There i.s one feature of the film that should he corrected: the promin ence and prevalence of shooting. Nearly every evening has two or three shooting scenes, and the boys are taking on rapidly to the habit of carrying toy-pistols. Whilst this may at this time of the year be laid to the Christmas celebration, at the same time it must be remembered that children have these toy-pistols in their possession all the year around. It is not an infrequent scene to see a boy take out his toy pistol, approach an other boy, put the pistol to his head and pretend to fire. Recently a little fellow amused himself by shooting caps in the ears of little girls. This may seem childish, yet is it a sane habit? How far is it from the toy pistol to the genuine pistol? How far from the make-believe shooting on the film to the real shooting in life? I seriously doubt the wisdom of ex hibiting shooting scenes. * * * Our city fathers like all other mor tals, get a certain amount of criti cism at the hands of the public. There fore I intend to lay a bouquet at the feet of these men. It hail become necessary to fill in the school grounds and an appeal was made to the town commissioners for help. This was promptly extended. Mr. Harry Stevens took a lively interest in the matter and with him collaborated the chief of police. The result is that the grounds are in shape better than ev er, and to the gentlemen of the town board and the Mayor our best thanks. Death of a Child. Little* Sabra Irwin, the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. M. Lawrence, died Thursday night of last week and was laid to rest in the City Cemetery, Friday afternoon, the funeral service being conducted by Rev. II. 0. Nash, of Southern Pines. The child was born on November 4th, and had been a sufferer all her days. The bereaved parents have the sym pathy of the community in the loss of (heir little one. A Newspaper Is King. A newspaper is now king of Kng land. The London Times, with its North cliffe allies, has won the greatest sin gle battle in the history of journalism. NorthdifTe turned out Asquith and turned in Lloyd-George. Northcliffe engineered the war council of five, which is also to be adopted in France. Great as was Editor John Delane of the “Thunderer” in 'older days, much more potential still is Editor Northcliffe of the “Thunderer today, who began life as plain Alfred Harmsworth and who started his journalistic career with $300 capital, says the Philadelphia Public Ledger. Many newspaper men on this side of the Atlantic know Northcliffe, and they know him to be the most dynam ic, get-there sort of man they ever encountered in England. A “fighter from Fightersville,” but not the kind who turns around in a circle waving his arms. His course is that of the bee and not the boomerang. At this moment this journalist is doing more than any other one man in Europe to change the warfare on the kaiser. Next to the kaiser he is going to have the largest say in the grand swing of armies and fleets—a war be tween an emperor and an editor.— Publisher’s Auxiliary. Calendar for New Year. January 1—Resolution. January 10 -Diminution. January 15—Dissolution. —Columbia State. A Bishop’s Wit. Dr. William H. Taylor, who has been coroner of Richmond from time immemorial, has declined an offer from a Chicago undertaking estab lishment to give him a handsome burial free of cost. When he was on his dying bed, the witty Bishop Wil mer, of the Episcopal Church, was asked by one of his relatives where he wanted to be buried. “I do not want to be buried,” wms the Bishop’s conclusive reply.”—Richmond Times Dispatch. Beginning with September, 1917, the annual tuition fee at Mt. Holyoke College will be $500. This covers tui tion, board, room and laundry. LOOKING A YEAR AHEAD. (Communicated.) What will the year 1917 mean to this town, to this community, to this people ? What will be your personal attitude toward the making of a better town, a more prosperous community, a more open hearted people! The efforts of the individual citizen may accomplish something. The co operation of a collective people will produce notable result*. Collective co-operation is only pos sible where confidence and good will exist, and where there is a determina tion to utilize this combination to the ultimate good of all. The man who holds a groucn against his neighbor can not suc cessfully pull in harness with that neighbor so long as that grouch ex ists. Lose the grouch. The man who disparages and un dermines the reputation of another can not expect the community in gen eral to think well of the assassinator of character. Speak gently and use the soft pedal. The man who says “go ahead” can not expect to keep pace with the hustler who says “come on." Step lively and get there. And one man who says “I Will” is worth a hundred of those w'ho say “I Can’t.” This is the time of year when the hopper of time is filled with new res olutions. Hut it is more profitable to act than to resolute. Let us make this a year of action, of deeds, and of results. Lot us make this more than a col lection of individuals. Let us make it a community of people with one aim, one ambition, and one great pur pose in life, and let us make that purpose the good of man and woman kind in general and of this community in particular. If w'■ work collectively and earnest ly and energetically we will achieve success, hut if we labor individually we will accomplish but little. The road of life is long, and stormy, and barriers bar our way. But many hands make light work of the heav iest burdens, and collective might may roll the heaviest barriers away. We may each pursue our own cho sen vocations, and yet all labor in the common cause of a better and more prosperous town and countryside. Two horses pulling in one direction will get the load there. But when one pulls and the other balks the load stands still. Will 1917 find us a community of loyal pullers, or a divided aggrega tion of pullers and balkers who ac complish nothing but to stand still? Ninetcen-seventeen will tell the story, and you will put the words in the mouth of the teller. What are those words going to be? i Will they be loyalty, cohesion, ag gressiveness, success? Or will they be disloyalty , suspicion, disintegra tion, disaster? A year of promise is ahead, but promise never makes good unaided and alone. We must each grasp the opportuni ties with which nature has provided , us, and turn those opportunities to individual and collective weal. To do otherwise will be to stand still while others march on to vic tory and to success. Shall we stand, or shall we march? You tell. BEAVERS BECOME A MENACE. Busy Little Animals Are Undermin ing Bridges in Utah. (Salt Lake Herald-Republican.) Beavers are undermining bridges and constructing dams in Utah, Gar field and Summit Counties to the ex tent that farmers are alarmed lest their farms be inundated. State road officials request action to prevent the destruction of bridges which have cost thousands of dollars. Fred W. Chambers, State fish and game commissioner, has gone to in spect the damage done by the ani mals and take sjeps to stop their ravages. Under the law the commis sioner is authorized to trap beavers which threaten to damage proporty. Mr. Chambers said he would avoid killing or maiming the animals by setting traps which would catch them without injury. He will then transfer the beavers to other streams of the State where their industrious habits would not constitute a menace. The call today comes for real citi zens who want to do service in their communities. It will matter little in the years to come whether you or I amass a great fortune, a great name, or secure some splendid public office, but it will make a great deal of differ ence how much each of us stands for an honest life; how much effort each puts forth to better the conditions un der which we live—and the man who does his best in these directions is a success though he dies without a dollar.—B. F. Harris, in The Pro gressive Farmer. New Jersey factories employ 232, 000 operatives. THE ORGANIST. I wonder how the organist Can do so many things; He’s getting ready long before The choir stands up and sings; He’s pressing buttons, pushing stops, He’s pulling here and there, And testing all the working parts While listening to the prayer. He runs a mighty big machine, It’s full of funny thisgs; A mass of boxes, pipes asd tubes, And sticks and slats and strings; There’s little whistles for a cent, In rows and rows and rows I’ll bet there’s twenty miles of tubes As large as garden hose. There’s scores as round as stovepipes There’s lots so big and wide, That several little boys I know Could play arond inside; From little bits of piccolos, That hardly make a toot, There’s every size up to the great Big elevator chute. The organist knows every one, And how they ought to go; He makes them rumble like a storm, Or plays them sweet and low; At times you think them very near, At times they’re soaring high, Like angel voices singing far Off somewhere in the sky. For he can take this structure that’s As big as any house, And make it squeak as softly as A tiny little mouse; And then he’ll jerk out something with A movement of the hand, And maker you think you’re listening to A military band. He plays it with his fingers and He plays it with his toes; And if he really wanted to He’ss play it with hvs nose; He’s sliding up and down the bench, He’d play it with his nose; He’s dancing round with both his feet As lively as you please. I always like to take a scat Where I can see him go; He’s better than a sermon, and He does me good, I know; I like the life and movement and I like to hear him play; He is the most exciting thing In town on Sabbath day. —George W. Stevens. Indian Moons. Time is calculated among the red Indians by moons instead of months. January is called the “hard moon,” February “the raccoon moon,” March “sore-eye moon,” April “the moon in which geese lay eggs,” May “the planting moon,” June “the moon when the strawberries are red,” July “the moon when choke cherries are ripe,” August “the harvest moon,” September “the moon when rice is laid up to dry,” October “the rice drying moon,” November “the deer killing moon,” and December “the deer moon.”—Philadelphia Inquirer. ■ Special Sale on Field FENCING Beginning January 1st, 1917 And Closing January 31st We are going to sell two car loads heavy weight field fencing at a sacrifice in order to move it. If you need any wire fencing now is the time to buy, for we are going to sell it cheaper than this fence can be bought for at Factory to-day. These are some of the heights and prices: 28-inch 6-inch Mesh,. $7.10 34-inch 9-inch Mesh,. $7.25 34-inch 6-inch Mesh,. $7.90 40-inch 6-inch Mesh, . $8.15 46-inch 6-inch Mesh . $9.00 We are going to give one roll free (110 yards). Every roll you buy gives you *ne chance at the free roll. This to be given away when fence is sold. Somebody is Going to Get a Roll Free! It May Be YOU! Johnston County Farmers Union Company Selma, N. C. . Epidemic Usually Followed War. The present is the first great war in history which has1 not been follow ed by its attendant disease. During the previous invasion of f ranee 74,205 men in the German field contracted typhoid and gastric fevers, and 8,904 succumbed to them. Moreover, after that seven months of the war of 1870 were over the returning soldiers brought with them an epidemic of smallpox from which upward of 170, 000 died throughout the German Em pire.—London Globe. COUNTY FAIR NOTICE. On account of the busy season of the year, the regular meting of the stock holders of the Johnston County Fair will be held February 2nd, in stead of January 2nd. C. M. WILSON, President. L. T. ROY ALL, Secretary. I WANT TO BUY A SOW AND pigs. A. G. Powell, Smithfield, N, C., Route No. 2. TWO OF THE BEST NOVELS OF the year are “Prudence of the Par sonage,” and “Prudence Says So.” Price $1.25 each at The Herald Office, Smithfield, N. C. I CAN FURNISH 3 OR 4 POUNDS of butter a week. Regular customers wanted. A. G. Powell, Smithfield, N. C., Route No. 2. INDEPENDENCE MEANS PIN Money Dependence. Depend on your Pin-Money from now until next Christmas by depositing it with this bank, and you will be independent when Christmas shopping time comes. Our Pin-Money Club starts next. Already a large number have joined. Nothing for you to lose. Spending money for you to gain, provided you deposit regularly a small amount. . Your Pin-Money draws 4 per cent inter est. Johnston County Bank & Trust Co., Smithfield, N. C. A FEW MORE COPIES LEFT OF “When a Man’s a Man.” This is Harold Bell Wright’s most popular novel. It is claimed to be the best selling novel in the United States today. Price $1.35 at Herald Office. PIGS FOR SALE—10 OR 12 NICE pigs at reasonable price, ready for delivery about January 5th. See or write, L. G. Patterson, Smithfield, N. C. STOCKHOLDERS MEETING The annual meeting of the holders of the FIRST NATION aH* BANK OF SMITHFIELD, Sm thfiiL N. C., for the election of direct^ and the transaction of such oth business as may properly comn "er will be held in the banking rS>m P; said bank, on Monday, Januarv atvT 1917, between the hours of lowS A. M. and 2:00 P. M. Respectfully, R. N.'AYCOCK, _ Cashier. EXPERIENCED SALESLADY^ wants position by January 5th Address Miss B., Care Smithfield Herald. THE WADDELL FARM ON THE Smithfield and Selma road, near the Ivanhoe Cotton Mill, is for rent Enough cleared for a two-horse crop. Apply to A. M. Noble or J. M. Beaty, Smithfield, N. C. WANTED—TO BUY SOME SHEEI\ also a few poor heifers and cows. T. S. Ragsdale, Smithfield, N. C. WANTED—A GOOD FARM HAND, one with family as day hands pre ferred. Good 4-room, plastered dwelling furnished. Apply quick. Leonard H. Stephenson, R. No. 4, Benson, N. C. WANTED—MEN WHO DESIRE TO earn over $125.00 per month write us to-day for position as salesman; every opportunity for advancement CENTRAL PETROLEUM CO., Cleveland, Ohio. We Don’t Keep Groceries WE SELL THEM You never get old, stale gro ceries at this Store. Our policy is always to move our stock as rapidly as possible, keeping it Fresh and Pure And now thanking my friends and customers for their patron age and wishing one and ail ? happy New Year, I am, Yours to serve, S. C. TURNAGE Smithfield, N. C.
The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 29, 1916, edition 1
8
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