A Sketch of June

A SKETCH OF JUNE By J. V. Tassenbrock It was a typical sight, those fifty or sixty people, as I watched them from my concealed position on the mountain side. They passed over the main road through City Creek canyon. Mostly young people and a few old or middle aged. They had come to spend the holiday in close touch with nature. I watched them with great interest and smiles. I even laughed. Not in scorn, for I loved them. They were still my people. All these fifty or sixty people nearly without excep- tion had immigrated from the "old country" within -the last six years. Some had been here only a few months or a year. But interesting they were. After walking a mile or so I passed the cross-roads, climbed behind a cluster of trees on the mountainside to finish the drawing of a sketch. Just as I was seated the music of an accordion reached my ear. Guessing its origin, I looked towards the road where I could see anyone pass by without being seen. First there came a horse and buggy with as many as it would hold, which is four persons. Then a large wagon, pulled by a big, white horse. People walking all around. Inside some of the older folks, the musician and all the good things to eat, besides a box of oranges which the owner with a business mind had decided to sell against reasonable price. Then the rest of the joy seekers. Some girls in khaki dress and boys' caps; others in middy blouse and black bloomers (their exclusive canyon apparel) . Several dressed in old dresses such as had been saved from days gone by. Various colors; blue-grey, red, white, etc. There were men who wore clean looking suits and collars, but many had only donned old shirts and overalls. And all these went their way peacefully conversing mostly in their own language. Not all felt that they could speak the American languge and yet feel comfortable on an outing. But happy they were on this beautiful day, enjoying the splendor of God's mountains. Truly with "none to hurt nor make afraid." These men and women, boys and girls were only a few of thousands who had gone and are going through the hardships of immigration under difficult conditions, and many leaving loved ones whom they do not expect to see anymore in this world. All these struggle for years with a new language and new habits. Why do they do it? Have they come to these mountain valleys because this is a great industrial center where money and riches are easily obtainable for anyone? Not so. They have come to serve their God according to the dictates of their own consciences. To live their religion more fully. The same reason for which thousands have come

A SKETCH OF JUNE 291 to this western' continent for ages past. Does it pay? To some few, it seems that it does not. But those who live according to the purpose for which they came here feel that they will be rewarded in years and generations to come. Not all stand the test; some fall by the wayside. But let us remember to love our neighbor and to have charity like our Savior taught us by precept and example. Many a soul was saved and will be saved through some influen- tial brother or sister extending their aid in a critical or helpless moment. Many a soul went their way rejoicing because some one of whom they thought much had given them a kind word or hearty greeting. A kind word is never wasted. There are moments when a special effort would do us no harm, even if results are not readily observed. One of my friends once said to me, speaking of a young man whom we both knew: "I have always gone out of my way to be kind to that boy, because he spoke such a broken language." And for saying this, I love her more. These thoughts and more crowded my mind while I rested on the mountainside, with the rushing waters playing their fascinating music below. Then I arose, and after a refreshing walk joined the company of which I have spoken, for I had friends among them. They enjoyed themselves, peacefully playing innocent and wholesome games and laughing at "stunts." I returned on my way home much sooner than they left, but in my weak way, my heart sang praises to God for all that is beautiful and true and good, and such familiar hymns as, "We thank thee, O God, for a prophet," and my favorite, "O, ye mountains high," will never grow old to me. Salt' Lake City. Dear Friend of Mine The phonograph is playing, just across the way; 'Tis Sunday afternoon, the neighbors all seem gay. It makes me wish that I could call on you today, Dear friend, down at your house, in the home-town far away. Ah, it was so delightful, Carl, dear Friend of mine. In those lost days, whose glories years shall but refine, When we filed down the narrow path, across the lea, From church on Sunday afternoon, just "you and me." The purpling lucern waved in breezy summer air, The copse along the fence was starred with roses fair. A martin sang, then made one circle over head And flew to her young fledgelings in the old cow-shed. We talked of crops and I was glad to hear you say, "This week I'm laying off to cut and haul my hay.( I'd like if you could help, providin' it don't storm." Somehow, I like to "hay" on your three-acre farm.

292 IMPROVEMENT ERA And as we neared the house, just where the clover spread, The pesky clothes line shaved the hat from off my head: You smiled. I see you now, framed in the kitchen door, As then — a picture mem'ry holds forevermore. How pleasant was the room where we spent golden hours, With tapestries and rugs, and wealth of window flowers; Where played the Edison, that stood beside the door; O, how I loved to hear those dear, sweet songs of yore. Delicious were the jam and frosted currant cake. The root-beer and the cheese your mother used to make, And spread upon the board, with linen clean and white, For us, before we went to meeting Sunday night. Each morn I saw you pass along the village street To do your master's work with disposition sweet; At eight you trudged along the fallow on the hill; At dusk your feet were sore but you were cheerful still. And when we pruned the trees around the public square, You were first to volunteer your service theie. You helped to fence and build each graveled walk and way. Ah, many are the lips that praise your name today! Ah, dear old friend, when I had heard from home today, My throat swelled at the news, I wiped a tear away! They said, "One afternoon, before the evening show, Some men had gathered at the Town Hall, topped with snow, To shovel off the pond'rous weight which seemed to spread The settling roof. "Carl was the first to climb," they said, (I knew you'd be the first) "and when he reached the snow. Just at the eaves, the roof fell with a crashing blow!" And then, alas! my Friend, they told me you were killed! 'Tis strange, yet it must be as God has willed. Ah, dear old pal, when I had heard from home today My throat swelled at the news, I wiped a tear away. Ah, you were young, so young — just twenty-five, my Friend, But those short years have proved you faithful to the end. I never dreamed that I should feel your absence so; 'Twas hard that, just at life's fair noon, you had to go! The Edison now stands so still beside the door, I cannot play the records, as we did of yore, The window flowers now seem to droop their heads and pine, And all is solemn here, O, dear old pal of mine! O, how I'd love once more to pitch the new mown hay Down on the lot with you some pleasant summer day. Or play the puzzle games or chat an hour or two. Or skate upon the lake, just as we used to do. Ah, we shall meet again — I cannot say how soon, But it may be some future Sunday afternoon. Then sweetly sleep, and on your couch of peace recline. For all is well with you, O, dear old Friend of mine! Logan, Utah. L. J. SORENSEN.

Editors ^Table What Say You, Men? In making their report of the income of the state of Utah for 1924, the officials enlighten us with the sad information that they have collected for cigarette stamp sales, $109,914, during the year, May. 1923 — May, 1924, which means that the state of Utah has consumed approximately, $1,099,140, in cigarettes, and about 109,914,000 cigarettes during the year. Gone up in smoke! An injury to those who have smoked, and an absolute economic loss to the community. We feel ashamed, not to say chagrined, at this showing. Honest- ly, it would be discouraging really if it were not for the fact that we are inclined to think that prior to the activity against cigarette sales in the state a much greater number of ciragettes were sold and consumed. We still think there is some virtue in the law against the cigarette, even if not enforced always as it should be, in the state. Yet, the tobacco business in this country, we are told, is resting on thin ice. The tobacco organs are constantly bolstering up the thought that prominent men use tobacco. The latest example is the newly elected vice-president, Charles G. Dawes, who smokes a peculiar kind of pipe. This has been the basis of broadcasting in every conceivable way the fact that he smokes, of which he himself is evidently not very proud. The Tobacco Leaf says of him: "Newspaper photographers and motion picture camera operators, after aiming their cameras at him, invariably beseech him to replace between his teeth the pipe, which he invariably removes when about to pose for a photograph." "There is some satisfaction," comments Will H. Brown, Oakland, Calif., " to friends of the youth of the land in knowing that Mr. Dawes is sufficiently ashamed of the habit to remove his pipe when posing for a picture, until he is beseeched to place it again in his mouth. Mr Dawes did not take up the tobacco habit until a few years ago. At one time he looked with favor upon abstainers from the weed. When his own son. Rufus Fearing Dawes, died, in 1912, age 21, the father wrote a tribute to his memory, which he read at the boy's funeral, in which he stressed the splendid character of his son. saying proudly: 'He did not smoke, swear, nor drink.' . "Not only Mr. Dawes, but all other men, should be examples to their sons and the sons of other men. in the things that they consider desirable in the youth of our land." Let us think of some of the disadvantages of the cigarette and tobacco habit: Cigarettes are a source of fire danger, and it is just as consistent to legislate against cigarettes as against fire crackers. Scarcely a day passes that there is not recorded great fire loss due

294 IMPROVEMENT ERA to the carelessness of smokers, running from a few thousand to a quarter of a million dollars: "Most of the- Northwestern forests were closed to all smoking through- out the summer season of 1924, with jail sentences for violators. Cali- fornia forest fire fighters say they dread one tiny lighted cigarette stub more than the most severe electrical storm; that should lightning start a fire it can be spotted at once, while the cigarette can start a fire that can gain terrific headway before being discovered." The National Council of Boy Scouts in 1913, resolved that scout oificials should "never smoke when in uniform or when on scout duty." Why at all? The California Christian Advocate says that, last summer, prayers were offered in a number of Connecticut churches for "saving the tobacco crop from drought!" It would certainly be far more in line with the duty of churches, not filled with hypocrites, to have prayers to "save the youth of America from tobacco." Orison Swett Marden says: "I advise every cigarette victim to have his photograph taken every year and put side by side in a frame in his room, where he can see the gradual, fatal deterioration in himself from year to year. If this does not startle him and bring him to his senses, no preaching will ever do it, for the pictures will be a sermon more eloquent than ever came from any pulpit." The Ann Arbor, Michigan Times-News says: "A confirmed cigarette smoker's lungs are found saturated with tiny bits of carbon from inhaled smoke. Authorities say that in years to come the practice of inhaling smoke will result in increased lung trouble, bronchitis and tuberculosis." Rev. M. P. Welcher, Hartford, Conn., has spoken in 620 schools of New York. He says: "Every child born in this land has a right to a chance to grow up clean and strong, and have an education. Therefore we must give them that chance free from tobacco. "There are many good reasons why boys should never throughout life use cigarettes or tobacco, and still more good reasons why girls should not permit boys to use this offensive, poisonous plant. "It is never a necessity, unless one makes it so. It is unnatural, costly, dwarfing, defiling, degrading, destroying the best things. Then let us -tell boys and girls plainly and kindly. We offer them this warn- ing. 'Safety First' demands it. A clean life is a commercial asset. The New Era requires the New Standard of service, no smoke, no drink. There is not one good reason why any boy should ever use tobacco." Tobacco and liquor — smoking, drinking and gambling — are vices that go together. A writer in Tobacco Leaf, one of the lead- ing organs of the tobacco trade, gives three reasons why cigar pro- duction has virtually stood still in recent years, and the first of the three reasons given is this:: "Prohibition, with the elimination of the saloons."