The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1896-10-07
Sarge 7lunkstt.
Plunkett Writes on the Great Ms
take of Country People.

Piunkett Whites on the UreaG MIS-
take of Country People.
Atlanta Constitution.
From an editorial in the Constitu-
ton of a few days ago, / learn that
the great State of New York has
taken action to ascertain the cause
and to suggest remedy for the peo-
pie moving to the towns.
Surely such action has come none
TOO soon, and other States should
follow the example of New York and
stir themselves to find cut the cause
and remedy.
I have seen the danger of this
focking to towns for long time and
have cried out against it, but still it
continues. Hardly day passes but
what I see movers pass along the big
road bound for Atlanta, aid this in
face of the fact that many are NOV
ing away to engage in rural pursuits.
Country people ought TO under
stand that if people brought up IN
the towns cannot stay there it is fool
ish for them to be going. But they
will go, it seems, and one after an
other has his experience and returns
a wiser and sadder man.
I think there could be nothing
wrong in giving the experience Of a
family that came in contact with as
they went into the city He was
strong mountain man and his, family
was blooming with all the health and
strength that their region could give.
He drove good yoke of oxen to
covered wagon; had two good COWS
along; meat of his own raising was
ate at the camp fire supper; he had
some eighty odd dollars in his pocket,
and was braced up in his hopes OF
the future by the enthusiasm of two
pretty country girls and a strong and
afectionate mother.
sat and talked to them for some
time after their supper was through
with. The girls were carried away
with getting to where they could earn,
their own living by working in the
factories and such like, and I soon
saw there was no use talking to them
nor to their mother, for the good
mother at once t,ld me that she was
tired seeing her pretty daughters
nothing more than slaves upon the
farm, and she was certain that in a
very short while after settling down
in the city the girls would make
money so fast that her and the old
man would have nothing to do but to
promenade around and do the mar
keting and such like.
I turned to the old man, who
seemed to be sensible and substan-
tial, and said to him:
stranger, you have always had
plenty to eat and good clothes to
wear from where you came; have you
not?"
"Yes," he said, simply.
"You had better turn around in
The morning and 60 back, I ventured.
"Well, we'll" be said, as be took
the pipe from his mouth, 'we can't
accumulate anything much in the
country, the girls are not satisfied
there, and my good wife thinks we
can do better in town. and if I was
to say anything they might think I
was trying to keep them back, so I
think it is best as it is"
Stranger" said ], you know not
what you are doing. These are
pretty girls aud smart girls; these are
good oxen and fat oxen; your wagon
is strong and your COWS are good
mixers; you have some money in
your pockets, and now, for heavens
sake, let me persuade you to take the
back track-turn back. turn back,
turn back!'
"We'll make money" said the good
wife quickly. "Other people do we'll
in town and I know my daughters
are as smart as any of them. Don't
you fret yourself; we'll work aud &C
cumulate, and we won't mind going
back. We are tired working and
giving big part for rent; we can't
more than live and We are not going
to stand it any longer"
[ saw there was no use in talking
to the old woman nor to The girls--I
could see that they agreed-so 1
turned to the old man.
'Chewiug the bag is proof Of the
pudding" said.
"Yes," said he.
"Well, you just go back to the
settlement you are leaving and bring
me hundred of the men that rent