The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-01-13
MOVING TO TOWN.
Plunkett Writes on the Great Mistake
of Country People,
WHO BECOME DISSATISFIED
With Life in the Country and Move
to Town To Make a Living.
Some Sad Pictures.

| For The Constitution.
From an editorial in The Constitution Of q few
days ago learn that the great state of New York
has taken action to ascertain the cause and TO
suggest remedy FOR the people 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 out the cause
| and remedy.
have seen the danger in this Goclng TO towns
| for a long time and have cried out against it, but
stIll it contin les Hardly day passes but what
see movers pass along the big road bound for At
lanta and this in the face Of the face OF the fact
that many are moving away to engage in rural
| pursuits.
Country people ought 10 understand that If
people brodght up in the towns mot stay there,
1t is foolish for them to be going. But they will 90
il seems, and after another has his experience
| and returns a wiser but a sadder man.
| thi nix there could be nothing wrong in giving
, the experience of a family that came ia con-
| tact with rs they went INTO the city lie was \
! strong mountain man and his family was bloom
ing with all the health and strength that their re
| zion could give. lie drove good yoke of oxen toa
covered wagon; had two good cows along; meat of
his own raising was ate the campfire supper;
he had some eighty dollars in his pocket and
! was hraced m in his hopes of the future by the
| enthusiasm of two pretty country girls ana
/ strong and afTectiouate mother.
sat and talked 70 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 ia tine factories and such
like, and soon there was no use IN my talFing
/ 20 them TO their mother, Tor the good mother
| at once told me that she tired seeing her
| pretty daughters nothing more than slaves upon
the farm, and she certain that in very short
while after getting settled down in the city the
girl. would M se money fast that her and the
old man would have nothing to do but 20 prouen-
| AIDE around and do the marketing and such like.
/ turned fbe old no seemed 70 be sem
| sib!c and subs tautial and said to him:
! '.Stranger, You have always had plenty 20 ga
| and good clothes to wear from where yOu came;
/ have not2'
| ayes" he sid, simply.
'.Yog had better turn around in the morning
| and 20 back I Feutured.
''Well, well" he said, a. he took the pipe from
! his mouth, I'VE can't accumulate anything much
IN the country, the girls are NOT satisfied there,
and my good wife thinks can do better in town,
and if was to say anything they might think
was trying to keep them back, SO think At Is best
as 10 is
"Stangcr" SAID !, "you 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 money in your pockets, and now,
for heavens sake et me persuade you TO take the
back track turn back, turn back. turn D. elk :"
'We'u make money" said the good wife quick
lv "Other people do well in town and know my
udugltcf~ are tiH STUART Is any 90 tilaiA A''h q
you fret yourself; wen work and accumulate, and
then ue won't mind going back. We are tired
working and giving big part for rent; wc can't
more than live and We are not going TO stand 1t
any longer
/ saw there was no use in talking 10 the old WOO
man nor 20 the girls-I could see that they
agreed so I turned 10 the old man.
"Chewing the bag is uroof of che pudding
said.
eyes" said he.
'.Wel, you just go back 90 the settlement You
are leaving and bring me hundred of the men
that rent there-teuaHts, rs they are called. Let
them form a line out there ia the big road. In the
meantime, bet me go to Atlanta and pick ont one
hundred Of the best mechanics, skilled worhmen |
of the citv Bring these mechanics and form !
line along side Of your tenants, ana then lct rs /
take an inventory Of what each line has you Viii
find that your country tenants have COWS, steers,
horses pigs and house TO live in for year, with /
frevood and without anxiety.
Resides, these tenants can always End time To /
take oil "a saturday Tor picniciug and the girls /
can nave fried chicken, pies, cu-tards and cakes /
when their sweethearts visit them on sunday
..Ycs yes said the stranger As he scratched his I
head and chuukcd the campfire
con the other hand" / resumed, "the line Of 4
men from the cty-tha skilled wor6men-wli /
have nothing and more than apt owe Tor their 1
weeks rations ana the clothes their backs. /
Tbev can take no Saturdays of in the same sense 1
ms the countrymen take them. and they have NJ /
sundays that are free from cares, from anxeties /
and blessed with peace"
saw that the ola was about ready TO explode
knew that il was policy for me 70 hu>h and |
hushed, went on my way home aud ieit them 70
see country people do we'll.
Two years passed away and one hot Tune day |
saw a RAGGED old man and a carcwom woman stop /
AT my gate. IL was the same old man and woman /
that have been telling about; -. ,...-.,....
"Come in, come in said l. when saw them /
hesitate at the gate, "Come IN aud make your /