NEW CREATIONS IN PLANT LIFE 
stood apart with his eyes filled with tears; or 
to note that he counts no day completed in 
which he has not said a cheery good-morning 
to his aged mother, now faring near the 
century line, looked after her with the utmost 
devotion during all its hours, and tenderly 
kissed her good-night at the going down of the 
sun, even though she sees such acts but dimly 
through the long mists of the years. 
I have talked with many townsmen of this 
man, those who have known him in lean 
seasons when struggle was constant and the 
current strong, in other days when the praise 
of the world flowed high but never to sub- 
merge him; and never a one but has been 
quick with the deep, strong words of praise 
for their townsman and neighbor,—not one 
but who, in quaint, crude words or more elabo- 
rate phrase, has pronounced him a man whose 
life stands above reproach, whose character is 
of the noblest type, whose heart is overflowing 
with that kindness that ever makes for malice 
toward none and charity for all. It sometimes 
happens that a man assigned by the world to 
a high position is held in scant esteem by 
the common people among whom he lives; 
312 
