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by the rumbling of the moving
train.
But there was no soft-pedaling
for Mr. Barondess especially when
he had something to protest against
and by antitheses something to
extol 1. As the service in the train
was rather slow and the after
war food of an indifferent quality
our friend went on in the usual
strain invoking the splendid com
mits, the dining and lounging ac-
d mmodations offered to the travel
ler by the railroads in the United
States.
Mr. Barondess was, of course, all
the time talking to Dr. Svrkin,
a most patient listener, and there
fore an excellent audience in him
self. but the speaker did not care
who else listened in. The strangers
only showed a nodding interest
in the talk but as the meal pro
ceeded a few passing words were
exchanged with them.
"Then' is one land in the world",
Barondess said with the orator’s
apparent relish of words his
resonant voice rising in crescendo
whether he spoke to three men or
three thousand —"one land where
men are really free and happy,
where there is friendship, help
fulness, fair play and justice, .jus
tice for all, rich and poor, and
a chance to woik, to advance to
the top and live in peace. And
that's the grand and glorious U.
S. A. — God's own country. As
to living in comfort, the enjoy
ment of perfect service, the ease,
accommodations and pleasures
furnished by our inventive genius
and mechanical achievenments—
t here is no lan 1 like it in the
whole universe."
"Isn’t that i ight, doctor?"
"Certainly, certainly," returned
Dr. Svrkin, somewhat abashed by
this vehement outpouring before
utter strangers.
When, however, towards the end
of the meal, the elder of the two
strangers lighted a cigarette, Mr.
Barondess, with quick, implusive
gesture, produced a cigar exclaim
ing enthusiastically; “Please let me
give you something to smoke—an
American cigar!” With gracious
bow, but consistent sparing of
words, was the offer accepted.
Pleasantries over and accounts
with the waiter having been set
tled, the diners moved out of the
car and proceeded to their respec
tive traveling compartments.
The older gentleman walked a-
head, Mr. Barondess behind him
still enlarging upon the virtues of
America. Next came the tall young
man and last, Dr. Syrkin. As the
line moved forward, our modest
philosopher mustered sufficient
courage to inquire who his com
panion was.
"That gentlemen,” said the young
man slowly, “is Newton D. Baker.”
"The Secretary of War?” asked
Dr. Syrkin, incredibly.
"Tl.i’ same," said the young man
smilingly and with apparent en
joyment of the surprise he pro
duced.
For some little while after that
Dr. Syrkin sat in his compartment
without saying a word, a myster
ious smile hovering over his fea
tures. Thi'ii lie suddenly turned to
Barondess sitting opposite him and
asked: "Do you know who the
gentleman is to whom you were
lecturing on America?”
Barondess was all curiosity. When
the name was divulged, he looked
incredible and bewildered, utterly
unable to realize that such a thing
could happen. Then he recalled the
resemblance of the man to the
printed pictures of the famous De
form Mayor of Cleveland and later
President Wilson’s S rotary of War.
He burst out laughing, loud and
long—-as only Barondess coul 1
laugh.
Morton Curran
and Company
Incirporated
40 WORTH STREET
NEW YORK 13
WOrth 2-2073
Sole Selling Agents
for
Summerville Ml'g. Company
SUMMERVILLE, GEORGIA
Manufacturers of Cotton Ducks
and Osnaburgs
BATSON—COOK
MANUFACTURING CO.
Incorporated
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
WEST POINT, GEORGIA
INDUSTRIAL COTTON THREADS
For Every Stitching Operation
• Silk Finish
• Soft Finish
• Mercerized
QUICK DELIVERIES
Calhoun Thread Company
1281 LaFrance St., N. E.
ATLANTA, GA
Pr.oncs: ALpine 8328 - 8329
The Southern Israelite
27