The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-01-22
SARGE pLUNKETT.
PIunkett Writes Oh the Great Mistake Of
Country People.
atlanta Co1.stitItion.

Country People.
Atlanta Constitution.
E From an editorial in the Constitution
of few days ago I learn that the great
State Of New York has taken action
to ascertain the cause and to suggest
a remedy for the people moving to the
towns.
Surely such action has come none
too soon, and other States should fol
lew the example Of New York and stir
themselves TO find out the cause and a
remedy.
rI have seen the danger in this flock
ing to towns for a long time and have
cried out against it, but still it con-
tinues. Hardly day passes but what
I see movers pass along the big road
bound for Atlanta, and this in the
face Of the fact that many are moving
away to engage in rural pursuits.
Country people ought to understand
that if people brought up in the towns
cannot stay there, it is foolish for
them to be going. But they will 60
it seems, and one after another has
his experience and returns a wiser but
sadder man. .4es ail
F. / think there could be nothing wrong
in giving the experience of Q family
that I'came in contact with as they.
went into the city. He was a 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 a
covered wagon; had two good COWS
along; meat Of his own raising was ate
at the campfire 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 strong and affec-
tionate,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 | soon
saw there was no use in my talking to
them nor to their mother, for the good
mother at once told me that she WAS
tired seeing; her pretty daughters
nothing more than slaves upon the
farm, and she was certain that in q
very short while after getting settled
down in the city the girls would make
money SO. fast that her and thelold
man would have nothing to do but to
promenade around and do the market
ing and such like. :. .ss,i
I turned to the old man, who seem
ed to, be sensible and substantial, and
said to him:
ttStranger, you have always had a
plenty to eat snd good clothes to wear
from where you came have you not2"
MYes," he said, simply.
ssYou had better turn around in the
morning and go back" ] ventured.
"Well, WE'LL" he said, as he took
the pipe from his mouth, eve cant
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 Twas try!
ing to keep them back, 80 | think it, is
best as it isl
sfStrapger," said I, 'syou know not
what you. are doing. These are pretty
girls and 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 backi.'
). "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 and accumu-
late, and then we won't mind going
back. We are tired working and Civ
iEg a big part for rent; we cant more
than live and we are not going to stand
it any longer
= I saw there was no use in talking to
thelold woman nor to the girls-l
could see that they agreed-soi I turn
ed to the old man.
aChewing the bag is proof of the
pudding?" ! said.
eyes" said he..
swell, you just go back to the set
Element you are leaving and bring me
a hundred Of the men that rent there
tenants, as they are called. Let
them form line out there in the big
road. In the meantime, let me go to
Atlanta and pick out one hundred of
the best mech hanics, skilled workmen
of the city. Bring these mechanics
and form line along side Of your ten
ants, and then let us take an inventory
Of what each line has; you will find
that your country tenants have COWS,
steers, horses, pigs and q house to live
in for year, with frewood and with
out anxiety.
Besides, these tenants can always
find time to take off Saturday for
picnicing and the girls can have fried
chicken, pies, custards and cakes when
their sweethearts visit them on Sun
day."
Eyes, yes, !" said the stranger as he
scratched his head and chunked the
campfire.
"0n the other hand,' I resumed,
"the line of men from the city-the
skilled workmen-will have nothing,
and more than apt owefor their weeks
rations and the clothes on their backs.
They can take no Saturdays off in the
same sense as the countrymen take
them, and they have no Sundays that
are free from cares, from an1ieties and
blessed with peace.
I saw that the old man was about to
explode. I knew that it was policy
for me to hush and I hushed, went on
my way home and left them to discuss
me as some old crank that did not like
to see country people do we'll.
Il