The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-29

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feeo With The surroundings, for they
nlpis' the narrow road scru;inizing me
mnemba IRA sSed. They seemed curious. ~
rsiieye my constraint j asked TOT SOM
,rating glance at me. then lifted her
bucket 10 my reach. | took out hhhd-
fnl OF the juicy fruit. and ate ". WINE
they watched me with clear, .'teany gaze.
two coppers: but they took them without
thanks; merely giving me an approving
glance. | then rode on,
When I had followed the woods roau
for a time | realized the significance OF
the term field" as a point or location.
rhev seemed scarce; so far / had not
passed one spot cleared for cultivation;
There were spots where the timber hao
been burnt 10 the ground by one Of the
annual fires, which are ;he terror cf fne
woods people. These spots we're clear
save for n few gaunt veterans, and the
tender shrubs Of this years growth.
nothing on either side. I'm front, or back
of me. but the dense green irradiating
yellow light. Not having struck the hel9
spoken of by my friend or the Forge I
concluded that / had lost the way.
turned off the road TO ask directions nj
house I had seen through the trees. There
was a subtle attraction In this niue
house. or rather In It's isolation. peneve
| had never before appreciated the mean
ing Of the word home It's conServa-
tism and independence Of the world. rms
cottage. with its garden and inmates
we're all that is necessary to man;
The rest Of the world might be dead. ana
his life would stu be complete. Growtne
metaphysical | meditated; passing tnf
pen where slept an old SOW ana her pih'
pigs: and approaching the mouse,
Knocked at the whitewashed door with
my crop 4 half-clothad BABY ran OUT
from the back, paused wondering, the,'
scurried behind the house again; A BLACK
dog. with tail erect and bristing mar
barked and shifted at my horse. Pres,
entity the house door opened and a 8'rl
came out on the step. At the same mo-
ment a whole raft" Of children appeare9
and grouped themselves about her.
asked the way to MIR. Hobsons house.
While the eldest girl answered my III
qu!ry | looked with pleasure at these
children of the woods -.
The quietude and isolation OF their
life had given their faces an unusual
almost spiritual. expression. and they
were spotless with the absolute purity oil
health. Boys and girls looked alike, tnere
seemed TO be no distinction or sex, tx
cent I'm dress. all had the unblemish-
able. wildrose bloom; broad foreneads :
wide. clear eyes; and purposeiess chiiiS.
Living i'm the warm shadow OF theF
woods they had a dewy freshness as
though the sun and wind had not touched
their skin. They were different from
other children, there was an expression
OF deep knowledge In their eyes, as II
nature had told them her secrets yet
they did not know Of Their own wild,
sweet beauty, but seemed as uncoh-
scious as the ''slster" roses that bloomed
on the doorshelr over their heads.
The girl gave me clear directions 20 find
way: II appeared that l had taken a
wrong turning some distance back. She
spoke in q subdued drawl. rather pleasing
to the ear; and moved her arm freely
showing the fine moulding of the unCOnfln-
Ell waist. / thanked her, and went back 70
the road conducted by the inhospitable
dog.
Having regained the right way | soon
came upon the field II boosted at pre-
sent fine crop of stumps, following the
road around the Held" across the creek.
and through the gate, ! az length reaIheu
Mr. H0bs0ns house. There | was told my
man was thras hing his wheat Ihey
showed me the way 20 the wheat field.
which Law below the hill along the creek
bottom. As | decended into the fittie va
lev ! heard the CHEEKY song OF the thrash
erS Bags of grain we're piled near the
machine and a rick OF straw showed
wildly against the opposite nil roc
UP the creek side, Where thlck GROWING
willows dipped into the water and as !
drew nearer ! could distinguish the "oTus
of the negroes song
Oar war ten virgls when de bride
groom come,
par war tn virgils when she come,
Oar war ten vrglls, Oar war ten VIZ
par war ten virgils when she come.
"The foolish said unto the wise when
the bridegroom come,
'They said unto the wise "heh '"e
THE foolish said unto the wise, they
said unto the wise
"rhe foolish said unto the wise "HeH
she come.
And so on they sang twisting and turn
ING the measureicss lines into a perfect
time with the fiexibihty Of their voices
the crowdng Of words TO the music SEEM
ing 20 give an added charm. ....o
Mr. Hobson and | had very satisfac-
10 use YOUR lectloneering this county"
he said. '1tH 20 solid for Flood. any
how. Thicker wont get q delegate. i ,,I
might canvass Nelson There's show f0r
good work there: but Buckingham IL
stand up for her neighbors every TIM.
fuckers, all right enough, but She am
goin' to nominate. man from otner soy
the mountains. when there's c@Hdlu"'s
from AppJmattOX.'
DO YOU think there's much DOUBT OF
the election Of a democrat, after the nom
inaton2" ( asked, curious 10 know the
opinion Of the politician OF these parts.
No. not serious, don't, there mouSnt
be a fight: some country people are nlsh-
~ big fools. and are for lyin on 10 the
third party. But It's not IN BHcKlhsHaH'
we'ers all Democrats here.
took dinner with Mr.. H0DSon: ana
those If the thrashers that We're "hlte ~
at the table with us. WarIheq up ~ NJ
I 5
and made them quite speech. saw
there was no opposition I'm this part on
the county; and vas assHteu 'ua ~, D',e
other districts were all for fio0d: l,da
I'd my campaign "ouit De N''Vi' - N0
ed 10 buckingham. 49,. o,,l
said nj Nr. HobsOns until the cool
Of the afternoon. Before leaving J asked
him II there was any one in the neishOoi
hood II would be well for me TO see.
..,Tbsre's only one man bout here as II
dead set agln democrats" he tod me,
land that's link Hooper; earn ga
as ! blame him much. notheI. - - We a.,
trouble ever since the Democrats Det. ~ ~
FIRST his house and fencin was Duiht ~
the woods fire. that was me Iat go
Cleveland's election. then ms VIZ go 80.
took sick. and amt rlz out hSt 90 c1,, Re-
fore me marty come I'm ne was Wen 70
do enough Young fellow. and now ne amt
got money 10 buy meat r,.L
And ne blames the DeinocrdlS' "'N
He says he amt no stomach for poll
'iG Sw Ell" TN 90 and see him. il you can
tell me the way 10 MS mouse. 49,,
IN get old Uncle hph'lh ~ 90 '''
'Tncle Ephrim was summoned from ms
cabin some quarter or mile ulSla"'
and. bidding goodbye 10 tne thf4sh,erL, ~, /
started nv guide, d cOuFtly ola ddIhe5
vim the, stamp of the artstocracy sun
upon him led me by pathway uhlll 80
| struck a wider road; then he told ne 40"
| to find my way alone. As we went alOAs
| Uncle Ephrim talked to me dgonl "'a
Old home, seeming 70 take We4dll'"p'5
! plea sure In retrospecuon. ,..
$50 YOU don't think freedom mas done
J much Tor your ! asked him.
! no. Marster ceptin TO Wurk ha.aeir.
| ! wouldn't be 20 bad OH Out my 4oIN9
Have they sold their place them
no sab, no, dey,,s.' he hesitated,