It can be seen in the various rooms of a home, in the interiors of many automobiles, and in offices.

Take the Gray County Sheriff's office, for example. It reflects Rufe Jordan.

First thing demanding attention when one enters the sanctum is the sheriff's saddle. It sets astride a wooden horse with a pair of leather chaps hanging from the saddle horn.

The county's top law officer probably hasn't had cause to strap this horse throne to the back of a steed in some time, but as rough as is some of the country in his jurisdiction, the time might come when Jordan deems it necessary to mount up in order to search for a lost child or a furtive fugitive. If it does, he's ready.

In the corner beyond the saddle are three pairs of boots, somewhat worn but well-polished under a thin coat of dust.

Just in front of the footwear is a colorful folded saddle blanket serving as a throw-rug.

The sheriff's desk occupies the northwest corner of the office. Beside and behind it the walls are bedecked with photos, plaques, certificates, citations and other such.

There are two pictures of the American flag. There is the declaration that "God could not be everywhere, so he created grandfathers".

On around the west wall of the office hangs a 1971 calendar with only the December page remaining. The sheriff apparently retained the item because of the art if bears -- a reproduction of a Norman Rockwell painting of several Boy Scouts. Under the picture is printed: "America's manpower begins with boypower."

A person who has an audience with the county's top law enforcement officer will look at him across a comfortably cluttered desk top. Items thereupon likely will include the sheriff's chapeau, wide-brimmed, distinctly creased, straw or felt depending upon the season.

There also might be a package of chewing tobacco on the desk.

It is a decor and an overall effect that quite obviously did not come about overnight. The sheriff has had about three decades to achieve it.