The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-12-07
SARGE PLUNKETT.
A Plea for the Old Red BILLS of Georgia
atlanta Constitution.

a Flea f0r the OlQ dtu hlll6 Oh deOESIas
Atlaasta Constitution.
I circulated all around Atlanta on
Thanksgiving day and saw many things
to be thankful for and some few things
to be sorry over.
When we got from the cars at the de-
pot we were thrown among number of
emigrants, people leaving the dear old
homes in Georgia and the Oarolinaa to
try the uncertainties of new life in tho
West. Some of these were old people
old fathers and mothers, going along to
be with their children. There is mighty
little hope for these old folks In the new
homes to where they will 90. The
change Of climate and water pretty gen.
orally sends these old folks to their last
home, and that settles it 80 far as they
are concerned. How natural is it for
these old people to desire to cling to
their children, but how unnatural does 1t
seem for these young, vigorous sons and
daughters to drag these old people away.
One group of these emigrants-some
three or four familics-impressed me
more than the rest, for the reason that
they we're trying hard to be cheerful and
thankful in keeping with the spirit ofthe
day. Tho morning was crisp and cold
and 30 the warm waiting room, at the
car shed, was comfortable and caused lis
all to linger there. These Caroliniaus,
for they were from Abbeville and Law
renee Counties, had opened up their
provision boxes and wore feastiDg upon
the cold chicken, ham, etc, they had
brought along. While this whole group
seemed determined to make the beat Of
the situation, there were an old couple,
who sat over in the corner, whom knew
were suffering agony from leaving the
cid home behind them. These old folks
got the best Of attention from their
grown up sons and daughters, and espe-
cislly did the little toddling grand-chil-
dren vie with each other in giving grand.
ma and grandpa something of all the
eating; but ss e little fellow would tod.
die over to them and place sweet-cake,
OF what not, into the old, wrinkled
hands, could see tbs tears trickle down
the furrowed cheeKs. These old folks
knew they were leaving the old homo
where their children had played about
the doors-the old home with all its
happy associations leaving Carolina,
their dear old State, to try a astrauge land
aud new people. But so is life, and
these young people did not in!esd to bs
cruel
Another class Of these emigrauts who
always call for my sympathy arethe moth
ers-the young mothers-moshers whose
children havs not grown to the slatioa Of
being companions-littla fellows too
young to cheer the mother with words
and yet loved with all of a mothers love
end burden the heart With all the pain Of
q mothers anxiety for their welfare.
And, then, a little grave IL nook OF the
old.home burial place, or the country
churchyard-this is another source Of
sorrow for these young mothers. They
hate to leave these little graves behind
and the rich west can never cause them
to be Gisremembered.
But l would not strivo against the die
position to 90 West from the older States
for purely sentimental reasons. Georgia's
old rcd hills are IS good as the rich prai'
ries, is my notion. Not day, hardly,
but what see these emigrants returning.
Many more would return than doea, out
they got too poor to do so. They exhaust
their substance in getting to the West
and have to stay there. They shake with
chills and burn with fevers, thus balanc.
ing up matters, so that when you come to
size the whole thing, there is no more
pro6t and far less comfort than is to be
had in Georgia. Aud if you will take g
trip ou! on any one of the sprauglo rail-
roads from Atlanta you will SEQ that
.here is no good reason for stagnation in
youthful ambitions. The old towns of
Georgia and the CarOlinas a,e taking q
new life and new enterprises are spring.
ing up everywhere. The young men who
hayo settled down on tho cid farms are
living illustrations that there is life ia
this old land yet, aud as rule they have
succeeded in accumulating worldly goods
and have as sweet little children and as
happy homes as will ever be builded in
any wild West country. 1t is wonderful
to me that this disposition to 60 West
does not stop-for State pride if nothing
else.
Il II
1 could not tarry with the emigrants
longer, for I had an invite to eat a
Thanksgiving dinner and nevor lose such
opportunities.
promised not to mention names, but
I can tell Of few Of the things noticed
during the day. On my way out (for I
aalked) different localities showed the
different observance by as many different
people. One bright little fellow passed
by ne Gu ths sidewalk With hop, SKIP
and jump. Hia face was joyous sud he
was ,wiuging his arms vigorously. /
heard The qaartar he had held in his
hand strike the stone pavement with q
ring, sud bounce away through sewer
grstirg. The little fellow stopped short
and an expression OF blank astonishmeut
together with Aush of disappointment
passed over his face as his quarter went
ont rf sight [ thought TIE quarter vas