316 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



throwing out great rings of black smoke. He is clothed in overalls and 

 jumper and his face is covered with soot and as the train speeds over 

 the plains, bearing its load of human freight, he sits there with one eye 

 on the track and the other on the clock, his hand on the throttle holding 

 the destinies of these dependent mortals and guiding them safely to their 

 destinations, by always knowing "where he is at." 



The young man who reads the account of naval life with all its ex- 

 citing experiences, decides he wants to join the navy. He prepares 

 himself, stands the examination, is accepted and begins his life on the 

 mighty waters. The little community is all excitement over having 

 furnished some material to protect our coast. In their estimate he is a 

 wonderful man and everybody discusses him. 



Under the influence of martial music, during the excitement inci- 

 dent to getting recruits, fascinated by the faultless attire and athletic 

 shape of the recruiting ofticer, hypnotized by the wonderful stories of 

 the U. S. soldier and desirous being lionized by his community, the 

 young man leaves the store, the counting house, the farm and joins the 

 army. The time comes for his departure and a public reception is held. 

 Eloquent speeches are made about his bravery. Tears are shed. Every- 

 body shakes hands, and half the people kiss him. He is besieged with 

 bouquets and bears with him the good wishes of everybody and feels his 

 importance as he leaves, listening to the music of a dozen voung ladies 

 singing "Good Bye, j\Iy Lover, Good Bye." 



While I would not say a thing to detract from the glare and honor 

 and distinction of these young men, I want to call your attention tonight 

 to the bravest of them all. He is the young man who sees all this, who 

 bears all this in response to the call of duty, in accordance with the ad- 

 monitions of conscience, in compliance with existing conditions, for 

 parents' sake, in the interest of brothers and sisters, he stays at home. 

 Xo bouquets thrown at him, no eloquent words of commendation for his 

 decision. No hand-shaking, no kissing, no band of music, no banquet, 

 no hurrah, no excitement. He quietly remains on the farm, surely- con- 

 scious of having done right. He listens to the occasional song of the 

 meadow-lark as he cultivates his crop, and at night, as he milks the 

 cows, is reminded of the time by the song of the whippoorwill and the 

 occasional hoot of the owl. 



To me there is no greater hero, energetic, dutiful, conscientious and 

 self-sacrificing. It is in his interest that I come to you tonight and ask 

 your assistance to keep him there and encourage more to go there. The 

 boy on the farm where the air is pure, where the moral atmosphere has 

 never been contaminated, and where the beautiful picture painted by 

 divinity in full and constant view of the occupant of the farm, has en- 



