Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-04-09

The pEphiL.
EARTH for. oh, so many years hate to look
back on them-that l came to this village.
Nv coming will live in my memory TIL
The sun grows cold,
And the stars are old,
And the leaves of the judgment book unfold.
left Malvern-the town where you take
the Diamond 10 railway for Hot springs.
+ left there, say, on horseback. 1t was
O'Clock in the afternoon and there was a "TRIP
of 80 miles before me, but galloped gayly
off over a sandy road, past rueful swamps,
under magnolias whose blossoms seemed
as big and bright as Roman moon, while
expresses lifted themselves out of sullen
and silent pools on either hand and rasped
me with the swish of their long, gray,
CHASTITY Spanish moses as went my way
Cabins were kicked behind my horse as
l fed on-cabins of blacks, cabins of ''po'
white trash''-and the inmates thronged to
their thresholds as l passed. Dirty, d.
sheveled were they always, with plenty of
brats and brutal hounds; always unkempt
hair and bare feet-always.
On, on, on, few. A flash that splinter
ed the sky and sent myriad mock birds
futtering by; then roar of Titan drumsl
Sheets of rain, through which rivers Of
lightning swept and trickled and curved!
Lakewood Hospitality.
halted my horse in front of large old
frame house, back of which spread field
of cotton. On the gallery-as they call a
porch out here-was gray old man in his
bare feet
Stranger" called, "can stay here to-
night?"
Mother, this chap wants to stop by" he
ia 40
Jack, your heard directing agent in
the interior region. take the boss an put
on yer perlitest,"
Jack appeared-a tall, slouchy youth,
with very good face, and one that pos
sessed strong touches of character withal.
Take n seat, mister" said the old man
Supper is erbout ready"
He had wife and at least II children,
all of whom came out in their bare feet
and viewed me as though were a freak
just out of side show.
The old woman went back and presently
called out:
kim to supper, eff you uns all is AKIN
men"
The mistress of the mansion sat at the
head of table on which were big hunks of
bacon swimming in grease. a Is by 90 inch
slice of corn poue, lot of greens" and
plenty of huttermilk.
Grab fer yerselves," said the old lady
I'm too pow full weak to wait on you uns."
stranger" she went on, "whar you uns
FROM"
Originally fIom Ohio"
"Wbar you uns gwine?'
Sheridan
Next morning the storm was over, the
sky was clear, and l proffered fee for my
entertainment
w hat do you unS take we uns fersn
Queried the old woman wrathfully 1--WE
uns don't keep or hotel" and not q cent
would she take.
Thanking the family kindly, / mounted
my horse and went on.
l presume ! had proceeded seven miles
when fresh storm came up. The rain be-
gan to descend in torrents, and | came to a
creek that bad been swollen into river by
the storm of the day before. However |
plunged in. but my horse lost its footing.
and the first thing / knew / was floating
round regardless in the muddy waves. |
managed to catch hold Of the bride Of the
horse and was soon landed on terra firma.
The lightning dazzled; the thunder cracked:
the rain poured; the wind howled. Great
branches came tearing off the trees. Nv
horse kicked, pranced. cavorted in fright as
rode into this dismal town
A Question For Debate.
Sheridan is a representative Arkansas
town. mean an interior town
1t Is 80 miles from anywhere Trees grow
In the middle of the one main street The
lew tradesnen lock their store doors in the
middle Of the day and go fishing, hunting
and swimming. a silence as awful as the
end of the world prevails.
The village organized debating club
during my stay here, and the first question
that came under consideration was:
Resolved. That Washington deserves more
credit for preserving America than Columbus
for discovering it.
After the defender Of Columbus had
spoken, the champion of Washington took
the floor AMI chew Of tobacco.
Mr.. Chcerman, ladies and gents" he
began, Il am heer tonight as defender
OF Gineral George Washin'ton. Eesouire
Mr. Cheerrnan, ladies and gents He
paused, took his barlow knife out of his
pocket, cut off fresh plug of tobacco ard
began again: MIR. Cheerman. ladies and
gents, | am beer tonight as a defender Of
Gineral George Washin'ton. Eesauire
Now, Wasliin'ton wuzn't no SLOUGH. He
wuzn't no sardine. He wuzn't''-
But felt like running out and rolling IN
the grass outside. knew if s.aid mo
ment longer would give way to my mirth
for the manner Of the speaker showed that
he was as serious as st. Alenz at the baptism
OF the child Chrystophus
They have no politics here. Party differ
ences are all religious and are far more
bitter than anything | ever met up with
between Republicans and Democrats.
WILL HUBBARD-KERxAs
Female Bootbihcks In Franz.