The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1875-10-27
ON THE WING.
AtIanta-An Old Friends story
---.- ..r Macon. +a4 sa.+.9r

/ -sl MACON, GEO Oct. / s. 1875. s
To the Editor ofthe AIorriatOwn Gazette - la7sc.
/ Passing through Atlanta and GO.
ing a p Whitehall street, we sudden
/ ly came in contact with our old
friend p Ten years ago this
man was employed as brakesman on
the .- Railroad. To-day he is
prominent railroad official and large
real-estate owner, respected for his
honesty by al whose pleasure it is
to know him. Accepting his polite
inyitationlto partake of an oyster
/ supper, we elbowed our way through
the crowded masses of pedestrians,
and finally entered a restaurant.
Though small and unpretentious at
first appearance we soon felt that
the management was superb We
had not long to wais for our order.
as the host was one of DIS most
particularfriends. The supper was
excellent in every respect, aud the
French coffee served by the pretty,
blacl1-eyed waiter girl, made our ap-
petite somewhat keener. She took
Rhine and brought US genuine Ha-
vana's. After enjoying their full
flavor awhile in silence, my friend
turned somewhat hastily around and
said George. of all the attrac,
tions in this, the fast Gate City of
the South, the qniet place in which
we are now seated is my favorite
rendezvous-and through the long.
cold and disagreeable winter nights
from Z to 3 o'clock l am generally
in my accustomed seat at this ta-
bIe''-
Knowing his propensities, we
squared back and became attentive.
The fact is, said-he, this little
room is n page or so in my life's his
tory. Sixteen years ago. this win.
ter, | entered this city poor, rough
clad boy of II. My mother, the
best of all mothers, had died a few
F days previously, and although my
father treated me kindly and gave
me all home comforts, still / was
lost, and felt that henceforth l must
make my own home. l slept very
little the night I made this resolu-
ton, for had heard of the big Iron
Monster that pIowed through the
mountains and carried crowds to-
large cities, and 1 thought perhaps
my ignorance would unfit me for the
duties that lie before one in life.
However. had formed the resolu-
ton and go [ woulI. The truth is,
| was tired Of working in corn fields
and wanted to see the world. The
next morning was clear and cold
so very bitter, in fact that | hest
tated whether should remain and
help father, or try my hand alone.
1t so happened that the old gentle
man was called to the village the
evening previous for supplies. and
this gave me an opportunity
should not have. perhaps, soon. So
after a glass of milk and bread.
bid adieu to my old home in the
hills had about $50 in silver that
had been given me at times by
mother and others, aud with this and
a small bundle of clothes acr oss my
shoulders l commenced my Journey
afoot, After two days tramp
came in sight of this city; and,
tell you, George, the impression
made upon me at first sight will
never be effaced. was as green as
a country boy could we'll be, aud you
can imagine my feelings as | wan
dered through the streets, cold, ex-
lhausted and hungry stranger to
everything around me. l could read
little however, and as 1 passed up
and down the sidewalks looking for
a place to stop at, my eyes caught
the words on a paper sign:
"EATING HOUSED
OPEN Day IND NIGHT
Good Clean Beds 25 cents Night.
MEALS CHEAP"
Now, it occurred to me that this was
the place had been in search of,
sol walked in, and stared around.
Very soon man approached re-
questing me to be seated by the fire,
at the same time asking what
wished for supper Immediately l
replied:
.sWhat you, got? p 50
Ham and eggs, heefsteak. pork.
quail on toast, sansages. fried liver.
chicken and mutton. potatoes--"
stop right there, misterp' "Did
you say mutin and pertaters ?"
'CertainIy, SIR "Shali give
this as your order--mutton and po-
tatoes p
"Well. yes, mister, fetch me some
mutin and some pertaters."
ia very loud voice he sang out,
zone mutton and one potato
tHold on. there you! II cried. just
fetch me a leetLe less mutton and n