By Jim Harmon

Arthur L. Stone is best know as the first dean of the University of Montana's School of Journalism, and of course, his years spent as a "scribbler" or "quill pusher" for the Anaconda Standard and the Missoulian.

But, my favorite is his less-known 1914 Missoulian column called "Caught On the Pike About Town," in which he noted the lesser headlines of the day and routinely crossed over into poetry.

“I want it understood that the recent police department order regarding boys in saloons and in the restricted district applies to newsboys as well as to messenger boys,” said Commissioner Houston last night.

“You may say that the department intends to enforce strictly the regulation and no boys under the legal age will be permitted to enter saloons for the sale of papers or for the delivery of messages,” continued the commissioner of public safety.

“The law is plain and saloon men must see to it that no boys enter their places. We shall hold the saloon men responsible in this case and if we find that newsboys or any other boys are allowed to enter their places, we shall proceed against the owners of the saloons which they enter.

"The department order does not single out messenger boys alone. It applies with equal force to all lads under the legal age. They must keep out of saloons and restricted district.”

—A. L. S.

Safety First

Take the advice of one who knows,

don’t shed your winter underclothes.

What though the April days be rare,

hang to that winter underwear.

Even though the sky be bright and blue,

hang to the clothes if they’ll hang to you.

Don’t imagine you’re too warm,

A little heat will do no harm.

No matter if warm weather comes,

Stick to your old winter chums.

Don’t be foolish now and gay,

don’t put the winter suit away.

And don’t forget all too early bold,

to shed it now will mean a cold.

Don’t, I beg, be premature,

the doctor man will get you, sure.

Hold to the thick ones yet a awhile,

don’t be lured by April’s smile.

The biggest kind of April fool,

is he who sheds just to keep cool.

Safety first is a maxim wise,

to underwear yet well applies.

Don’t get a red nose and a cough,

don’t take ‘em off, don’t take ‘em off.

In the Park

The walks and drives of Greenough Park are feeling the effect of the season’s opening. There are many people strolling or driving through the park these days. And it is a fine place to go. There is no pleasanter walk than the trip through the park and there are many people who have found this out.

I hear that the east-side people feel that there has not been enough improvement made in Greenough Park. Yesterday, I heard an earnest protest against making so much improvement. The argument was advanced that there is danger that the natural beauty of the park will be sacrificed in the attempt to make it too artificial and formal. There is something in that, but the danger point has not yet been approached, I am sure.

There can be done a lot of work in the park, all to preserve its natural charm. The work which was done there last season appealed to me strongly, as I watched it through the summer and autumn. I thought it was admirable and I don’t see where there is any ground for complaint on the score that there was not enough work done. There is an immense lot of good work done, when the amount of park fund is considered. And there are other parts of the city that have to be regarded; there are park needs all over town.

In the Garden

Everybody, it seems, is making garden this week. And it’s great to see it. The city should be one big garden every season. That it is approaching that state is encouraging. The preparations which are being made this spring make it seems certain that there will be more flowers here this year than ever before. The ambition to make this forecast true is a commendable purpose.

The garden habit is enjoyable. It is helpful to the city and it is helpful to the individual. There is a lot of companionship in the garden. Night before last, I found the first crocus blossom in our yard and it seemed like the return of an old friend. From now on, there will be more of these old friend showing up.

—A. L. S.

Jim Harmon is a retired journalist whose 50-year career included nearly three decades at KECI-TV, Missoula in roles ranging from news anchor to weather forecaster. In retirement, Jim is a landscape gardener and history buff who’s spent years reading historical micro-film newspapers. You can read his weekly history column at the Missoula Current.

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