Judge — December 20, 1913 — page 4: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

What Next? HAT cherished institution will next fall before scientific investigation? One after another the world is losing things that long have had strong holds on humanity as spurs to the imagination. Cold analysis is steadily destroying the creations of ages that have made life in- teresting. The iconoclasm of science may yet make human existence monotonous and unbearable. To this unhappy end now comes the De- partment of Agriculture again, with a knockout for one of the most deep-seated of the beliefs of the farmer. It says that the crow is a good bird. It has carefully examined its stomach and finds that the insects the crow eats more than counter- balance the small amount of grain he de- stroys. Reforms come slowly, and it will take some time to convince the average farmer that the crow is his friend. The finding of the department logically makes unnec- essary that picturesque figure which at certain seasons dots the agricultural land- scape and causes congresses of crows to send envoys to discover whether it is ani- mate or just a make-believe man. If the new theory is sound, the knell of the scarecrow—if the scarecrow needs a knell -has been sounded. No longer will there be controversies in the farmer's household between the farmer and his wife as to whether he shall erect his old clothes on stilts in the semblance of a disreputable human being or whether she shall use them for carpet rags. Aside from these practical questions, there is one affecting the wayside traveler, who greets the flap- ping figure of the scarecrow as a happy diversion on the lonely road. 2 Boy j Who Has, There is no telling how effective the Agricultural Department's discovery may be. Some farmers will reform in line with it, but there are others who are un- progressive and upon whom all scientific conclusions are lost. This class of agri- culturists may well laugh at the depart- ment, as usually they are their own scarecrows. LsFELLOWS® The Joyous Side (CHRISTMAS again! Are you going to enjoy it? If not, why not? There may be circumstances in which enjoyment will be minimized, but every- body should look on the joyous side of the festival and try to get happiness out of the day or impart happiness to others. The jesters have their fun about the frenzies and eccentricities of shoppers, about poor father who groans under Christmas bills, about tippers who grudg- ingly give, and the tipped who put on smiles and are accommodating for one day only. But, take it altogether, the time- honored habits of the day are still prac- ticed with cheering purpose, and every- body is the better for observing its traditions. The iconoclasm which would rob Christ- mas of its happy character has been pow- erless against the spirit of new genera- tions that wish to practice and cherish its joy-giving customs. The holiday habit is growing in this country, but of all holi- days Christmas has the most legitimate appeal to the greatest number, and its intensely human appeal will perpetuate its popularity. Brief Decisions WHEN the Prince of Monaco entered his name as an applicant for land in the Nebraska apportionment, he may have had a hunch that sooner or later somebody real- ly might break the bank at Monte Carlo. ia] One little toy in each of many common little stockings brings more real joy than many rich gifts in each of many stockings of silk. a No, children, Santa Claus doesn’t need chimneys and fireplaces nowadays. Be- sides being a magician, he is up to date, and if you catch sight of him it is likely you'll see him with a 1914 auto of tre- mendous speed. is) If Opportunity went about with ex- tended hand, it would soon get nervous prostration. Everybody would want to “‘shake.’” HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS comicbooks.com