The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-04-11

Atlanta. Ga, Apri, SIT was beautiful
spring morning in the early COS, Il year or
so before the outbreak of the war between
the states, when the loungcrs in the pretty
Georgian village of Eatonton whispered to
each other thai Joe was going to leave
the town-scing away to learn
trade
While they were talking the matter over,
and settling does future for him, after tic
fashion of good-natured village gossips,
the object of all th;s commotion was seen
walking slowly down the street. Joel
Chandler Harris-for that was his name
was Il twelye-year-old youugster with
face somewhat given to freclles, under a
cloud of chestnut hair-a very intelligent
face, however, with Il pair OF bright and
hOnest-looking blue eyes TO give 1t character
and expression.
Very serious looked the boy. this fine
morning as he returned the pleasant greet
ings of his fellow-townsmen; and they
caught something of his mood as they shook
hands with him and asked in Il friendly way
about his new venture. 1t was easy to see
that Joe was n general favorite, and every
body showed an unwillingneSs to part with
him.
For an Eatonton boy, little Joe, Chan
der as they called him when they dl'i not
RbbreviaJe his name, had chosen an uh-
usual career. He had made up his mind 10
learn the printers trade, and he was SotnS
to learn il IL the office of The COuntrym&n-
the only genuine country weekly ever pub
Gshed anywhere for it was printed on Col
onel Turner'S large plantation, several miles
from any settlement. This Colonel Iurnrr
was a wealthy planter, Il booklSh man, with
q big library in his big house, with han
dreds of slaves 10 do his bidding; ai al
though his paper was i'll such an Out-oi-th@-
way place. he made it so vigorous and inter-
esting that it had quite large subscriI-
ton list. He had made il known III lIaion-
ton that he wanted bright, capable Iad
To learn the business, and young iiarrlS.
attracted by what he had heard about the
colonel and his books. rode out to see him,
and the two AT once came TO terms.
And this was how it came about that
on certain April morning this seTlo1s
fased lad was bidding his old friends ARE
well. But the negro driver on the Ta@on
from Colonel Turner's plantation began 10
look inquringly at the youth, and the lat
ter finally took his seat and the heavy
vehicle rumbled along over the eel clay
hills bound for The CountYnans otnce,
and airing q future journalist who. during
bis half days joltiug over a rough road;
looked so unhappy that the driver sAeiteu
some very marvellous yarns, and WIN "+ch
success that when the plantation WIS
reached, the young trayelor was III more
cheerful humor.
The boy found everything very pleasant
In his new home His work in the print
ing Office was not too hard, and his employ
er turned him loose i'll the library WITH a
few malicious hints to guide him III ms
course of reading. Strange taste he mad
for one so yousg-@OlnS straight TO the
EI;Zabethan writers first, sitting up AlG4t
after night with quaint old Sir Thomas
Browne Lord Bacon and Shakespeare,
and leaving the authors of his own day to
be read years afterwards. lie mad no
regular cOUrSc-he followed the Dcht OF MS
inclinatiop and the wonder IS that ne Sc
Iected so many of the best books. Hut u
lad stirling out with The Vicar of Wake
field is not likely to waste time on trash.
little Joe found his college in this tine IL
hrorv and in the office Of The Country
man. Rapidly and in 4 pleasant way he
acquired a fair acquaintance with bellies
letters Then came the impulse 10 write.
With the utmost di.iidence lie sent in a few
ANONYMOUS articles. Editor Turner pub
lished them and spoke 50 taYorably OF
them that his assistant boldly threw off
all coucrllment and henceforth WAS i
frequent contributor to the columns OF the
Naturally he did not spend all of his time
in Tho Office The Fife of the plantation and
the foundations of the fields and forests
afforded him all the recreation he could
desire. and he missed few fox hunts, to say
nothing of The sports III which hr"r foSsum
and Errr Coon We're central figures.
This pleasant lie had TO come to an end.
Time had cljded on so quietly that the
progress Of the war attracted little attel-
lion until tile editor Of The C0uutryman
suddenly realized the fact that Atlanta was
in ashes and that Sherman was marching 10
the sea. The plantation was. directly III
the cnemy's line of march. Colonel turner
followed the example Of his neighbors and
refugeed with such vauables as he. could
carry. leaving Harris, then a STRIPPING OF
sixteen to take care Of the mansion. IL
was the young printers first glimpse OF
war Day after day he saw the invading
hosts swarraiug along the roads, They
covered the hills and swept the plantation,
helping themselves TO everything they
wanted, but they were in no ugly temper.
and the occupant of the mansion found it
easy enough 10 get along with them. They
did not want books and type, but they did
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