The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.



"A Very Real Conundrum, The Thousandth Man"

Greetings to ever one in western Illinois and all readers of The Quill. I'm a hope'n ya all enjoyed the wonderful weather last weekend and took time to reflect on the full mean'n of Easter and Christ's Resurrection.

Some folk has a good start on plant'n corn already before the weekend and others were a wait'n on this past Monday ta give er a good start, if there was no rain.

The weatherman has many a folk a quess'n about what to do with his various predictions fer sky moisture.

A Very Real Conundrum

A conundrum is something that is puzzl'n or confuse'n.

A veteran friend of the boys shared with them six conundrums of socialism in the United States of America.

See what ya thinks on the matter:

1. America is capitalist and greedy - yet half of the population is subsidized.

2. Half of the population is subsidized - yet they think they are victims.

3. They think they are victims - yet their representatives run the government.

4. Their representatives run the government - yet the poor keep getting poorer.

5. The poor keep getting poorer - yet they have things that people in other countries only dream about.

6. They have things that people in other countries only dream about - yet they want America to be more like those other countries.

Well, there ya has it then - a very real conundrum. The boys are have'n a good time discuss'n them six points!

Seems like there has been an inordinate number of funerals this past winter and now into spring. Sometimes we lose a special friend that affects us deeply even tho the pass'n of anyone is fer sure a loss.

The loss of a special friend brings ta mind a special poem by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936).

In share'n it now with youn's I'm a hope'n ya will reflect on it a bit and maybe, just maybe, ya might think on be'n that one person in a thousand ta someone ya holds dearly or maybe just to someone ya knows.

The Thousandth Man

One man in a thousand, Solomon says, will stick more close than a brother.

And it's worthwhile seeking him half your days.

If you find him before the other.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend

On what the world sees in you,

But the Thousandth Man will stand your friend

With the whole round world agin you.

"Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show

Will settle the finding for'ee

Nine hundred and ninety-nine of "em go

By your looks, or your acts, or your glory.

But if he find you and you find him,

The rest of the world won't matter;

For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim

With you in any water.

You can use his purse with no more talk

Than he uses yours for his spendings,

And laugh and meet in your daily walk

As though there had been no lendings.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine of "em call

For silver and gold in their dealings;

But the Thousandth Man he's worth "em all

Because you can show him your feelings.

His wrong's your wrong, and his right's your right,

In season or out of season.

Stand up and back it in all men's sight -

With that for your only reason!

Nine hundred and ninety-nine can't bide

The shame or mocking or laughter,

But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side

To the gallows foot - and after!

Well, betwixt the Thousandth Man and the six conundrums, the boys will have plenty to reflect on dure'n rainy spells and interruptions in plant'n and other field work.

That's all fer this weeks column. Take time ta enjoy life, fer in reality it is mighty short. Shorter fer some than it tis fer others.

At best even the longest life span goes by in a fast whirl.

Where ever ya is, what ever ya be a do'n BE A GOOD ONE!!

Hope'n to see you'ns in church this week.

Keep on Smile'n, Catch ya later!

BARNYARD BRUKE