Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-11
The Rallroads and the Melon Trade.

The Railroads and the Melon Trade.
Editor Morning NeigS' During the
'Iate unpleasantness" it was my good or
i'll luck to march with the "Army of the
Tennessee" into Kentucky through that
magnificent range called the Allegheny
Mountains. Early one lovely morning,
with companion, l strayed from the
ranks and climbed a beautiful slope,
where was perched an ancient cabin,
built of oak logs, from which the bark
had never been removed. As we neared
it a very small window closed with
board shutter new open and q te-
male figure appeared in the frame
that might well be remembered.
1t was large, extremely coarse,
freckIed. covered with mass OF matted
yellow hair that bristled upwards. With
out speaking she scOwled upon us with
cOuntenance that plainly told what nag
she fought under. We sought to impress
upon the fair enemy that there We're no
sbummers'' in the Southern army, and |
said, ssMadan, we have climbed to this
beautiful spot, not to harm you or your
cottage, but to gain a better view of
the charming valley below What pleas
ure it must afford you to live in the daily
endowment of such scenery 1t is delight
ful to contemplate the wonderful works
of nature; and. then, how ele-
waiting and enrolling to be con-
sciOus of the glory and beauty OF ones
cOuntryn
During this speech she seemed to regard
me with a look of unutterable pity and
contempt. and at its close she opened her
lovely mouth, ''and what do you think she
said!"
"Pve lived at this here spring for nigh
on to thirty year, an to save my life L
never didn't hear such fool talk afore.
You uns had better be glttln back down
the hill, for TIERS nOthin' here as belongs
to them as goes about over the klhtry
stealins an a titin'."
We ssgot back down tie Eill," end had
time to reflect that some people
do not always appreciate the ad-
yantages of their surroundings. L
find this in reference to the works OF
art as we'll as the works of nature, and L
have sometimes endeavOred, as your own
well read columns will bear testimony,
to rouse that appreciation by arraylng
our advantages in the bright colofs OF
utility and worth. l endeayor to create
consciousness, where it does not al
ready exist, OF the grand possibilities of
our country, the progressive character OF
its institutions. and the wonderful extent
of the good work already accomplished. L
do this for the reason that, without this
consciousness, without this appreciation,
faith is weak in every department of en-
terprise: jealousy and distrust are easily
excited among the masses; the most val
liable industrial experiments are readily
abandoned upon insufficient test; failure
comes laden with dependency fatal to
the prosperity of trade, and civilization is
compelled to drag through ages OF hope
less lmbecility.
Is not this sufficient, Mr.. Editor, to in
dictate my purpose in the simple arti-
Gle published in your issue of Aug. 3!
Like the good woman in the story above
your fears were needlessly aroused, and,
like her, you chose TO put your own inter-
probation upon my appearance. You say
''There is no occasion for reiteratlng the
fact that the railroads, as soon as the
truck farmers were ready to furnish the
freight, were ready to furnish the cars,
etc. But this does not touch the question
at ISSUE"
You must have read my article very
hastily, or perhaps your mind was
preOccupied with the design of apOpu-
Tar editorial on the melOn-railroad
question. You were certainly right
in saying l Ibid not touch the ques-
ton at ISSUE" Inever meant to touch 1t,
and am obliged to you for the acknow-
ledgment. / was endeavoring to create
appreciation" by an attempt to mark
the progress of a great institution. Now,
is not that candid? If | brought down
the sublime railroad to the lOwly water
melon, it was no more than the leading
dailIes were doing, and you and l should
be put in the same box. OBSERVER.