George Butler’s Fourth of July

George Butler's Fourth of July By Elizabeth Cannon Porter Tom Murphy, hailed his brother-in-law, George Butler, as he left the court room. It was the third of July and they were hurrying things up in preparations for the nation's holiday. "Well what are you doing down here?" asked the attorney. "Sid Pace wanted toe to sign his bonds." Sid was the as* sistant county treasurer in whose accounts defalcations had been found. "Well, did you?" interrogated Murphy. "No. When I refused he asked me in an insolent way, if I was afraid of my money, that perhaps I wouldn't mind testify- ing as to his good character.' "How did he come to ask you?" "Probably considered me the richest man he knew; but he said that he wanted me as an old schojol friend and neigh- bor." Butler laughed shortly. "Come over to the club and have lunch with me and I'll tell you about what a good 'school friend and neighbor' he was." Over the hors & oeuvre Butler began: "When I was a lit- tle chap I was a lone child. Didn't even have a mother. There were five of them, Sid Pace and his brothers, and they bullied me. The night that they pushed me out of the school wagon into a frozen drain ditch I went home and blubbered to my father. He told me rather grimly that he didn't want me to bring any more complaints home. So the next day when Sid attacked me I broke my knuckles on his jaw. When; I got home that night my father gave one look at my hand but said noth- ing. Neither did I, but he did my share of the hay pitching until the swelling subsided. So ended our school friendship." "And the neighborliness?' "Oh yes. In the winter when work was slack the Pace boys sat around the fire and played cards. I dug post holes in the snow until my hands bled. The winter of the terrible bliz- zard when the feed gave out and we couldn't haul hay over the roads their stock died, but I kept mine alive by doctoring up weeds with sugar beet syrup, and coaxing the cattle to eat it. They expected me to do them favors, yet when I brought my wife a stranger in their midst, they didn't exhibit the smallest act of neighborliness. They didn't know enough to show her any courtesy, but Alice was so busy helping me get a start that she didn't notice it. In fact, I think that Sid's wife despised Alice for raising chickens and working in a garden. Bertha believed in keeping herself 'a lady.' In fact, I guess that's one of the

GEORGE BUTLER'S FOURTH OF JULY 827 reasons for Sid's shortages. Although they considered them- elves smarter than I, I got ahead because I built up while they tore down. I planted fruit trees, hundreds of them. With lantern and hip boots I irrigated them while the Pace boys snored in their beds. For nine years I cultivated, pruned and sprayed. When th© trees finally bore fruit they came in the night and harvested the crop. Personally I can't see any differ- ence between a man stealing fruit, or a holdup who robs a man of his money. Sometimes the farmer has worked harder for his product than the artisan has for his currency. I even knew the Italian fruit peddler that they sold the apples to. He got them cheap because he probably knew that they were stolen. I didn't prosecute them because if I started I would have gone through with it. It would have meant a jail sentence. You see there were other things — the horse that Sid's brother Ed rode to Nevada. It wasn't my horse but neither was it his. They considered me an easy mark!" Murphy murmured sympathetically and his brother-in-law continued : "The greatest asset that a business man can have is integ- rity. I have no use for a man who betrays; a private trust. But when a man misuses a public office, one to which the tax- payers have elected him, it is worse." "Tomorrow is the 4th of July. We have passed the stage of fire crackers and gun powder. A man now-a-days shows his patriotism by being a good citizen. He takes an interest in the public affairs. He votes, elects capable men to office, sustains the law. Personally I wouldn't mind doing Sid Pace a good turn, though I don't owe him anything, but to go before a court and testify to his good character, I won't do. It would dese- crate my sense of Americanism." The two men arose from the table. As the lawyer reached for his hat he said, "I am glad that you told me this, George. They had asked me to defend him. I do not think that I will be able to take the case." Angel's Landing "To him who in the love of Nature holds communion utith her visible forms, she speaks a various language." — Sorrow, in a mantle somber, Overshadowed me and darkened All my pathway, e'en eclipsing Hope's bright face, once so inspiring; And my form, so sorely burdened, Bent beneath my cross of suffering. Where, oh where could I find surcease For my woe, so soul benumbing?

828 IMPROVEMENT ERA As I struggled on, in sorrow, Throngs of people passed near by me But no helping hand extended My heart breaking load to lighten. Then I groaned aloud in anguish, And sweet Hope, beloved, compassionate, Entered, neath the wings of Sorrow, And my hand in hers clasped tightly. "Come with me from crowded highway, Come where Nature's voice can reach you; She will help you bear your burden; She, her Father's love, will teach you." Hope's bright smile my path illumining Forth I went from scenes confusing To the solitudes of Nature; Towered around me cliffs majestic, Clothed in wondrous, glowing colors, Fashioned by a Master Artist; Dainty flowers festooned their garments. Flowers many hued and lovely; And their heav'n piercing forms, gigantic, Shutting out life's strife, enfolded Night by peace of God made holy. In the solemn hush, so restful, Long my soul communed with Nature; And I heard Night's myriad voices Call from leaf enshrouded darkness, Saw her fairest gem, a luminous Moostone in a pale gold setting Rest on western peak so lofty. And her harmony, soul healing Lighter made my load of sorrow. Soon an eminence, far remov'd My enraptured sight arrested — - Eminence so proudly tow'ring 'Gainst the young Night's sky of azure; As I gazed, a vision wondrous Saw my eyes, by Beauty opened, — For a Visitant most holy Radiant from realms celestial Came like a meteor through the ether, Flashing in a blaze of glory; Paused he on the height kept| sacred For the landing of the Angels Holy place of Zion's Canyon And unto my anguished spirit Came this message through the stillness: "Peace — with courage bear thy burden; Crosses borne bring crowns of glory." Vanished then the Angel glorious, Felt his balm my heart had entered; Fell I strengthened for the bearing Of the load to me appointed. Praise God for the blessed solace I received from Angle's Landing. La Verkin, Utah. Linda S. Fletcher.