West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-12-17

One day last week / dropped into
Jim Terrilfs barber shop to have
my whiskers banged and my hair
cut bias, and who should ! meet
in there but Uncle Tommy Haw-
ker, of Tuunelton, a gentleman
well known to the Argus readers.
Uncle Tommy and Jim were hav-
ing an animated discussion on the
merits of their fox hounds, and
inferred from what they said relative
to fox hounds and fox hunting that
they consider them selves the cham
| pion foxers and own the best brace
of hounds in the county. 1 took
advantage of the first lull in their
conversation to ask Uncle Tommy
why it was the AryuS had not been
favored with letter from him for
some time past. Uncle Tommy is
one OF the most enterprising and
progressive men in old Preston, and
Cor man of his age takes deep and
active interest in every worthy en-
terprise which is beneficial to our
people. His discussion of the
county road question with the cor
respondent who signed, g Farmer
and Taxpayer" wAs one which WAS
richly enjoyed by large number
of Prestonians, who expressed them
selves in way which was very com
plimentary to Uncle Tommy. So
l ventured to ask:
"Uncle Tommy, Would you
care to tell the Lounger why you
terminated your discussion so alb
ruptly with the fellow &" Farmer
and Taxpayer" when the victory
was SO near won? The Argus has
received frequent inquiries as to
why you let up on your contempt
airy. The Argus would be pleased
to publish anything you have con-
cealed from the curious public.
" The Lounger is very kind and
considerate, and as have nothing
to conceal from the critical public
eye will tell YoH. During the late
unpleasantness it was my fortune,
or unfortune, to play humble part
in defence of my country, and the
first motto l adopted after master
ing the mastlcator of bareback and
the digestion of pork and beans,
was, " Never waste your powder
on dead ducks" That man With
the misnomer cognomen of =" Farm
or and Taxpayer" was too dead a
duck for mo to shoot at. Each
week was a mere REPETITION Of his
former letter, SO | concluded to
drop him which / did. This was
my sole reason for terminating the
controversy"
"But the public is interested in
this road question, and more espcc-
tally the farming element, who have
TO travel our roads at all seasons OF
the year, and any suggestions that
you might grind out in the way OF
lettering our county rosds would
be highly appreciated. Tho Loun-
| ger has it on good authority that
our road surveyors were exceeding
| ly interested in your new system OF
working the roads. and any further
light from you on the subject may
be the means OF Illuminating their
highways and roadways," ] supgss.
ted, as the JourHal whs bad stepped
in few moments before noted down
my unique way IN drawing out my
man.
"Ah, that ia the great trouble.
my young fellow" said uncle Tom
: my with O shake Of the head, which
had lodged many a rebel bullet.
"Our road surveyors are detormin.
ed to follow i'm tho foot prints OF
our fsrcfathors, and rather than run
the risk Of experience they viii fol.
. low in the old rat to the end Of
time" and Uncle Tommy gave q
forlorn look, which quite astouish.
ed the Journal reporter who wa,
io:ling down his words, II am